March is half over and I can’t seem to get used to the fact that February is already gone. 
Prom season is rapidly approaching. I saw this idea for a display of girly teen books on Pinterest. I really like using the dress and mannequin to attract teens to the table full of materials. Here are 10 more ideas for April and Spring, even though it is almost too late
National Poetry Month
This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Please join in the celebration by displaying this year’s poster, recommending the Dear Poet project to a young person, signing up to read a Poem-a-Day, and checking out 30 more ways to celebrate.
Chick Lit
April is a great time to “Crack Open Some Chick Lit” and this is the way to feature it…with broken egg shells and tiny fluffy baby chickens.
National Card and Letter Writing Month
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates April as National Card and Letter Writing Month by issuing colorful Forever stamps sheets complete with decorative stickers for personalizing envelopes, letters and greeting cards. The Postal Service is collaborating with Scholastic to provide an educators’ guide on teaching letter writing titled, “It’s a Delight to Write,” that will be distributed to 80,000 teachers and 7.3 million parents nationwide.
Letter writing improves social and penmanship skills. More importantly, it helps create lasting memories with the people you care about most. That’s what the From Me to You stamps are all about. After all, nothing else cultivates a romance, nurtures a friendship, or helps you stay connected like a hand-written card or letter.
School Library Month
School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians’ celebration of school librarians and their programs. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning. The 2016 theme is School Libraries Transform Learning. Megan McDonald, author of the popular Judy Moody series, the Stink books, and the Sisters Club trilogy, is the national spokesperson for the 2016 celebration.
National Unicorn Day (April 9)
Display books with a unicorn on the cover. Host a Unicorn Party. Have everyone in the library make and wear a “unique horn.”
National Library Week (April 10-16, 2016)
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is an observance by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate. The 2016 theme is Libraries Transform reminding all Americans that today’s libraries are not just about what we have for people, but what we do for and with people. Increasingly, libraries are places of creativity where people can meet to share a hobby, use a 3D printer, edit a video, or use software to record their own music. Libraries offer access to the tools and technology and training essential to the economic and cultural lives of their communities. Honorary Chair for National Library Week 2016 is Gene Luen Yang, award-winning graphic novelist.
Beverly Cleary’s 100th Birthday (April 12, 1916)
Prepare a display of Beverly Cleary’s books and prepare a bookmark so your young patrons can check off each of the titles they read. Don’t forget to Drop Everything and Read.
Earth Day (April 22)
Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970, with the message “New Energy for a New Era.” This observance is intended to focus attention on the transition to renewable energy worldwide. Display books about the environment and recycling. For more information, go to: http://www.earthday.org/.
National Jelly Bean Day (April 22)
National Jelly Bean Day is a special day for those who love the sweet little candy. Jelly beans are a small bean-shaped type of confectionery with a hard candy shell and a gummy interior which come in a wide variety of flavors. Place a small jar filled with jelly beans on the circulation desk and invite patrons to guess how many are in it. Give away the jar and the jelly beans as the prize. You could even just give away a few beans with each checkout. Have a spoon available so that you don’t have everyone’s hands in the bowl.
Arbor Day (April 29, 2016)Nebraska City is the home of Arbor Day’s founder, J. Sterling Morton. Display books about trees and maybe you could even plant a tree near the library or in a city park.
Follow me on Pinterest for even more display ideas!