October makes me think of pumpkins. Gather picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, which have pumpkins in the title or pictured on the front. Display them with hay bales and pumpkins in every size, shape, and color. Here are 10 more display ideas for October.
Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
Create a book display and invite a school counselor to host a program at your library for parents and kids about the signs of bullying, ways to deal with a bully, and ideas for introducing safe, positive places in your community. Play this bingo-style “Kindness Game” to encourage random acts of kindness: http://www.edutopia.org/resource/kindness-game-activity.
Pizza Month
Find cookbooks in your collection that include pizza recipes and display them with a pizza pan, pizza cutter, an empty container of parmesan cheese and a red-checked table cloth. Find some healthy pizza recipes and print them out for patrons to pick up.
Yosemite National Park Created (October 1, 1890)
On this day, Congress created Yosemite National Park. Display a U.S. map and your travel guides about National Parks. Invite patrons to add a pin next to each national park they’ve visited.
Name Your Car Day (October 2)
Gather your car books and place them on a table near a small section of the wall. Leave a pad of sticky notes and invite patrons to add a note with the name of his/her car to this display.
R. L. Stine’s Birthday (October 8, 1943)
It seems only fitting that the author off the “Goosebumps” series was born in October. Display his spooky books with a sign about his birthday. Go to http://goosebumps.scholastic.com/ for some fun and spooky activities.
Teen Read Week (October 9-15, 2016)
Teen Read Week is a national adolescent literacy initiative created by the Young Adult Library Services Association. It began in 1998 and is held annually in October. Its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users. The 2016 event features a multi-lingual “Read for the fun of it!” theme to highlight all of the resources and services available to the 22% of the nation’s youth who speak a language other than English at home. Go to the official website for planning ideas and products that support the theme: http://teenreadweek.ning.com/.
National Grouch Day (October 15)
National Grouch Day is observed annually on October 15. If you are a grouch today is your special day. According to Sesame Street Magazine, National Grouch Day was created for all grouches to celebrate their way of life. Place a small poster on the circulation desk to let people know why the library staff may be a little “grouchy” today. Also find books (i.e. The Grouchy Ladybug) that go along with the theme and have them stacked on the desk, available for checkout, of course.
Noah Webster’s Birthday (October 16, 1758)
Dictionary Day celebrates Noah Webster, born on this day in Harford Connecticut. He believed that the survival of the United States depended on its educated people. Encourage patrons to share their favorite words on a bulletin board display.
Birthday of Pelé (October 23, 1940)
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, is a retired Brazilian professional soccer player. He is widely regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time. Celebrate his birthday with a book display including both children’s and adult’s books about soccer. Add a soccer ball and some shin guards to draw attention to this display.
Steven Kellogg’s Birthday (October 26, 1941)
Steven Kellogg, born in Norwalk, Connecticut is an American writer and illustrator who has created more than 90 children’s books. See a video interview with Steven Kellogg at http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/kellogg. Display a small poster and Kellogg’s books in the Children’s Area of your library.
Library Trivia—Happy 140th Birthday American Library Association! ALA was founded on October 6, 1876.
Find even more display ideas on my Pinterest page!