Childrens Services Minutes - February 21, 2024

2500+ Adults signed up 

We beat last year's total sign ups 

Check mugs and coupons stock (please email OES if you need more!) 

Make sure library system internal guests are logging books  

Early March is when prizes will be drawn 

Feedback from locations: kids want to participate (answer/statement: not enough funding, ongoing conversation), changing BINGO boxes (switching some out for next year) 

Coloring books, FAQ coming soon, Backpacks for ages 4-7 and 8–12 

Backpacks are clear, plastic, and wipeable, and depending on the backpack will contain laminated activity handouts, coloring books, a bug catcher, bug finder, trail guides, water cans, movement dice, jump rope, microscope, blocks, compass, anemometer, and more.  

Placement conversations (Jessica will contact libraries and figure out how the backpacks will fit in the library spaces).  

Books for backpacks are coming in soon 

This is all being supplied through the tool lending funding (ODL Literacy Fund) 

Gardening classes for kids are being scheduled now! 

2024 Summer Reading Theme: Adventure Begins at Your Library : La aventura comienza en tu biblioteca  

Met with Marketing and spoke about artwork for Summer Reading. 

April 19th is the Marketing deadline for June/July INFO Magazine! 

Working on getting Beanstack setup (previous years issues have since been fixed) 

Selected drawing prizes (headphones, Grand Canyon exploring kit for early childhood, etc.,) 

Training will launch in April (in person and virtual) 

Intranet going live in April  

Communications going out in March 

Goal is to have Beanstack up and running by Library Specialist Media Breakfast  

The Program Planning and Outreach updates will soon go from best practices to expectations. 

MAC and planning ahead Too many last-minute projects. Everyone should aim to enter programs in Library Market three months in advance. Susan, RDs, and Kim are figuring out expectations concerning this issue.  

Creating more Universal Tags: National Library Month Tag coming soon 

April 19th is the Marketing deadline for June/July INFO Magazine! 

Each library gets two bags 

Noise cancelling earmuffs, sunglasses, fidget toys, etc. 

Extra supplies are available, if necessary,  

Should be checked out to track how often they are being used 

Supplies to reorder (email Kristin and Djimon)  

There is a QR code on the bags to request feedback from library guests 

Communication cards coming soon  

The Parenting Resources Fair went amazing (150+ in attendance). Car seats were handed out and parents were made aware of all the parenting resources available. The plan is to make this an annual event  

ASL Storytime: will begin in March and offered monthly at the NW library. 

ASL interpreter will attend all NA programs at NW this summer. 

Rodeo Cinema Stockyard City will be a location for Neighborhood Arts (Friday afternoons) 

Book recommendation (concerning working with volunteers): The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier.   One less learned was how to gently guide volunteers in the direction needed 

Homework and Reading Help (average around 10; need volunteers), eclipse viewing party, financial literacy month in April (all ages), getting ready for Summer Reading.  

Homework Help (need volunteers), Adult and Teen DND, toddler aerobics program (well attended), alpaca day in April (to go with library month), children reading to dogs (send kids you know want to participate), want to borrow books for a book club? borrow a set from SO and contact Cheryll. 

Glow in the dark experiments, family doodle night happening at the end of March, young at art programming for people who missed it, NASA ambassadors with Joey Rodman is in the works 

Storytime, Pokémon trading league, large family gatherings on Saturdays (family Pizza Chef), STEAM break for Spring Break, planning for Summer Reading  

Rocket reader program, Story Walk: the story changes every month (changes with system theme). If you want to start a story walk, contact Anna. Other information: story walk partners with the library for the blind (get brail version of books for each story that is chosen), December – Smithsonian exhibit hosting (from Dec 14 to Jan 25th) 

Saturday Valentine's Day was attended by 14 people, elementary outreach going well, music with Ginger 

Winter Wonderland (120 attendees): sensory play winter snow, crafts, comfort, tent, chill space. March – Saint Patrick's Day Celebration (March 16th). Storying (family Storytime on Saturday mornings) 

1st or 2nd week of May grand opening, some programs are happening within the Trinity Chrcuh space, Outreaching more to schools.  

Edgar Allan Poe and Dolly Parton birthday bash (80 attendees): dancing, balloons, balloon arch, Dolly stand, dress-up clothes, gingerbread house creations, coloring station (with glitter), glowstick bracelets, people came dressed up,  

ASL Storytime 

Staffing changes and MLK Storytime for kids  

Middle grade recommendations (attempting to combine middle grade and mystery march). Join the challenge with her!  

Thursday crafternoon, step up maker space, cake toppers (using canvas and maker space), Summer Reading (Bug Lady is booked), two new hires  

After school art hours, black history month programs – collage (Lorna Simpson feature), crafternoon planned, hosting local author and TikTok star Gwen (momma cusses) March 7th who is promoting new book  

Book tasting (where different books from different genres are displayed and kids come in, sample books, and rate them by sandwiches) 

Spring Break Palooza (having programs from 1-3 pm every day during Spring Break). Some palooza programs include Duct tape creation, Perler bead palooza, Japanese art on cardstock (suminagashi art), LEGOS programs, and more.