Summer Reading Program = iPad

That's right. There's a huge incentive for this year's SRP.

I'm excited to host the first raffle of the summer on Saturday, June 13th at noon. This raffle is one of four that is a teaser of sorts for the kiddos. Three kids in each age group (0-5, 6-12, 13-19) will have a chance to pick a prize bag with goodies inside. "What kinds of goodies?" you ask. Books, games, and video games!! Oh, yeah, that's right, video games. The teens asked for it so I supplied it.

The raffle begins at noonish on Saturday. I say noonish because there has been some confusion as to when the "official check-in" happens. Easiest answer, once a child has reached 280 minutes, he or she is eligible for a coupon to Micky D's, a voucher for the Indiana Fevers Women's B-Ball, and a raffle ticket. The more you read, the more raffle tickets you can earn; however, subsequent check-ins will not allow for more coupons and vouchers. Essentially, after the 280 minute mark, every 20 minute interval equals one raffle ticket. I've also found a list of ALA/ALSC approved books as bonus books. 

Check-in so far have been sporadic, which is fine. Until today, that is when we ran out of tickets! Oh, no! Last I checked there were 100 tickets. Since few kids had been checking in until this point, and when they did they only earned 12 extra tickets, I thought we'd be in the clear. Well, little did I know that some kids love reading (okay, I knew that, but boy do they read!). One patron had 47 (or so) tickets! Can you say the game is on? Fortunately, I picked up a roll of tickets (2000) and dropped them off at work. I have a feeling that many people will wait until raffle day to check-in. Thankfully, I'm now restocked and I hope to be fully staffed and volunteer'd for this event.

The oatmeal containers that I duct taped to look super jazzy (okay, the kids helped) are nearly full. My team and I will have to do some super shaking to make it fair. I plan to have kids help pull tickets for me (especially since I've lost my voice). There will also be light refreshments for patrons before the raffle. I'm hoping to make this a big thing since it's our first summer in our new space. Go big or go home, right?!

Send good vibes our way. We're going to need them. And, light refreshments with a little silly soda might be helpful.

Panel Presentation Panic!

ALA Midwinter just rolled by. I caught a glimpse of it, before the weather hit too hard. Saturday morning drive to spend the afternoon/evening exploring the city and Sunday to present on a panel.

What time does my panel start? Oh, I think 12:30pm. I'll just catch the next bus. Luck was on my side. Not only did I catch the right bus, but I made it to the convention with 2 minutes to spare! The panel began at 12pm and went until 12:30. Good golly! I blame the time change.

Whilst running to the meeting room (almost literally), the door gal scanned my badge and I hear, "Is Mollie here?" Whew, I made it under the wire. I'm so distraught from running late that I don't notice who's on the panel until I see . . . my first graduate instructor! She said, "I thought that was you." As it happens, I was seated next to her for the presentation. (And you thought class presentations were hard. Try presenting to a "class" of 60 with your instructor by your side!)

Just like class presentations (shhh, don't tell my instructors) I didn't rehearse. Duh, I didn't even set my power point to slide every 15 seconds. My motto is, "fake it till you make it." Well, I guess it still applies. 

The very brief, 5 minute presentation went rather well. I raved about my library and the kitchen. I talked about the programs I've done with food (of course) and video games. I mentioned my upcoming program, Tasty Travels, for our summer schedule. The teens and 'tweens were mentioned because they are a huge part of why I create my programs. Afterward, another librarian said she liked what I had to say. (Maybe she just liked that I shake tail feathers with the kids.) My only regret was that I didn't have any business cards! Note to self: make business cards!

Moral of the Story: Be prepared! Arrive early, practice your speech, and have business cards. Or, keep your fingers crossed for all eternity.

Programming Made Simple

A few weeks ago, I held a Teen Night for the kids, 12-19. It was the last day of winter break for the library (we're closed Sundays) and it was also rainy. The kids came in earlier than the start time for the program. It was the first after-hours program on a Saturday, which was scheduled from 5-7. Kids showed up as early as 2! This combination was dangerous. The kids were kids! Who would have thought? Bumper chairs, tag in wheely chairs, and cartwheels. (One mom asked since when did we become a babysitting service. Sorry! but our policy states that they can be there without a parent.) (She wasn't upset, just more concerned because the kids were so rambunctious.)

The 'tweens like to play "Doctor". When I hear them say that in the library I kind of worry what parents will think. Their game is much more fun. They play with our "puppet stage area" as a reception desk and will hang a sign that reads, "Doctors Office". Then the kids will play with dolls. I could create a real title for it and make it a real program, but would anyone show up?

Instead, I formed a 'tween advisory group, "TAG". After the Saturday ordeal I came up with a dodge ball night to allow the kids to run around. (Thankfully my library has a meeting room with very high and narrow windows and wide open space.) At our TAG meeting recently, I asked them what we should do. I've got plans to buy NERF balls, put Velcro on them, and have the kids hurl them at me for a points system (that is, I'll have to wear a Velcro suit or something. I'm in the early stages of planning.) There is a grand prize, a huge candy bar, the one on the right! (I'm sure I'll buy enough to allow for each kid to have something.) We also discussed ideas for spring break, which is a mere eight weeks away!

I met with the teens, and they were a little more difficult to work with. Only five showed up because everyone has the flu (*knock on wood). One turned down all my ideas yet wouldn't come up with anything of his own. That's okay. The two new girls to the group (though they are regulars at the library) came up with fun ideas. Their list is a little short so I'll borrow from the 'tweens for teen programming. A list I've created consists of baking cupcakes, making origami/ductigami (crafts with duct tape), and a few games.

Moral of the Story: Give them what they want and no one gets hurt . . . unless your number one rule is, "No Blood!". Then Murphy comes to town and lays down his law. Dun dun dun.