September…Everyone is ready for cooler days and the comfortable routine of the school year. It is Library Card Sign-Up Month. This is a month when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. This observance was launched in 1987. Since then, thousands of pubic and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child has a library card and uses it. Please display information about getting a library card in your community. Here are 10 more display ideas for September.
Back to School
Everyone with children will be thinking about school this month. Display school stories for children, books about adjusting to college, home schooling, and adult education. An alternate title could be School Days.
National Coupon Month
This month celebrates the nearly $4.6 billion savings American consumers receive each year by redeeming coupons for their favorite brands. In fact, every hour spent couponing is worth an estimated $100 and the average savings per coupon is $1.44. Go to http://www.ilovecouponmonth.com/ for coupon savings tips throughout the month. Plan a program about using coupons.
Roald Dahl Birthday (September 13, 1916)
This author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach was born in South Wales. He died November 23, 1990. Place a sign with his books in the children’s shelving area and place his books face out. For more ways to celebrate this day, go to https://www.roalddahl.com/.
Robert McCloskey’s Birthday (September 14, 1914)
Children’s author and illustrator Robert McCloskey was born on this day in Hamilton, Ohio. His books include Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, and Homer Price. Display a sign in the children’s area near McCloskey’s books.
Husker Harvest Days (September 15-17, 2015)
This Grand Island event is the largest irrigated working agricultural show on a permanent site in the United States. 80 acres of exhibits, 700 acres of field demonstrations and more. Estimated attendance of 50,000. Display your farming books with information about this show. Go to http://huskerharvestdays.com for details.
Hobbit Day (September 22)
Hobbit Day is the birthday of the hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, two fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien’s popular set of books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In the books both Bilbo and Frodo were said to be born on September 22, but of different years. Some Tolkien fans celebrate by having parties and feasts. Other fans celebrate by simply going barefooted in honor of the hobbits, who don’t wear shoes. Display the books, audios, and DVDs to pique interest in Tolkien’s work.
William Cuthbert Faulkner Birthday (September 25, 1897)
American novelist and short-story writer William Faulkner was born in Mississippi. He was a Nobel Prize winner who changed the style and structure of the American novel. His best-known book, The Sound and The Fury, appeared in 1929. A poster about Faulkner’s life and work would complement a display of his titles.
Shel Silverstein Birthday (September 25, 1930)
This cartoonist and children’s author was born in Chicago. He is best remembered for his poetry that included A Light in the Attic and The Giving Tree. Gather his books and display them in the children’s area. The books are sure to be checked out!
Johnny Appleseed Birthday (September 26, 1774)
John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was born in Massachusetts. He planted orchards and was a friend of wild animals. He was also regarded as a great medicine man by the Indians. Display children’s books about Johnny Appleseed along with a basket of washed apples…just right for an after school snack.
Banned Books Week (September 27-October 3)
This annual event celebrates the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. It highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books. Find more information on the ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom website.
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