November…the month traditionally reserved for Thanksgiving, contains the Presidential Election this year. Display biographies of all the Presidents along with flags in both the adult and children’s areas. Here are 10 more display and program ideas for November.
Aviation History Month
Go to this website to send patrons on an aviation-themed scavenger hunt in the library. Display your books about aviation history, both aircrafts and people, along with the printed copies of the quiz.
Family Stories Month
Take time before the hustle and bustle of the holidays to share the traditions and stories that hold a special place in our hearts. Display books with the word family in the title and go to this blog to find 8 Ways to Celebrate Family Stories Month.
Entrance to King Tut’s tomb discovered (November 4, 1922)
British archaeologist Howard Carter and his workmen discover a step leading to the tomb of King Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Display books about King Tut, Egypt and archaeology to commemorate this important discovery. Find facts and learn to make a mummy on the National Geographic for Kids website.
Daylight Saving Time Ends (November 6, 2016)
Put a reminder poster on the circulation desk and display a few books with clocks on the covers to make it eye catching. Remember to set your clocks back one hour.
Neil Gaiman’s Birthday (November 10, 1960)
Neil Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, and more. Celebrate his birthday with a poster in the stacks of Young Adult novels. The HarperCollins Publishing site includes his journal and essays, images, bio, newsletter, and FAQs.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Birthday (November 13, 1850)
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer. His most famous work was Treasure Island. Take inspiration from this title and create treasure maps for items hidden around your library. Display the maps with Stevenson’s books. Be sure to have prizes for those that find the “treasure.”
America Recycles Day (November 15)
Recycling is one way libraries can assist their communities. Offer to be a recycling location, organize a recycling initiative, or provide a place for recycling information to be displayed.
International Games Day (November 19, 2016)
This is a global initiative that encourages libraries to host gaming programs on the third Saturday of November Break out the board games, plug in the video controllers or bust out role-playing costumes. Choose the games you want to play and go to it!
Crescent Dragonwagon’s Birthday (November 25, 1952)
Ellen Zolotow is the daughter author Charlotte Zolotow and biographer Maurice Zolotow. Many years ago, as a teen in the 1960s she changed her name and has continued to use it ever since. She is a writer in 6 different genres. She has published more than fifty books including novels, cookbooks, children’s books, and a collection of poetry. On her official website, she explains how she got her name. I found it amusing that she described it as a cautionary tale in that things we think are good as teenagers get less-good as the decades go by. If you have books by Crescent Dragonwagon, you could display them with her website on a slip of paper, so that everyone that gets intrigued like I did can read the whole story. http://dragonwagon.com/.
Kevin Henkes’ Birthday (November 27, 1960)
Go to the official Kevin Henkes website at http://www.kevinhenkes.com/ to find videos, teaching resources, book information, interviews, games, articles, and much more. Display books by this author in your children’s area.
Follow me on Pinterest for even more display ideas!