May brings many things…sunny weather, pretty flowers, and the end of the school year. Enjoy them all! Here are 10 display and program ideas (with a couple of bonus ideas at the end).
Get Caught Reading Month
Go to the official website at http://www.getcaughtreading.org/teachers-librarians.php for ideas on how to celebrate reading this month. Among the many resources are activity pages featuring Dora the Explorer and Nancy Drew.
National Bike Month
May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try. If your strategic plan includes the need for your community to be healthier or if there is a lot of community interest in living “green” this would be the perfect event for your library. Click here to download your guide for a successful event: http://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/2017_Bike_Month_Guide.pdf Otherwise, a display of books that feature biking and bike repair will be popular this month.
Children’s Book Week (May 1 – 7)
This is the 98th anniversary of Children’s Book Week. Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes — wherever young readers and books connect! This website http://everychildareader.net/cbw/about/ provides posters, bookmarks, activity pages, press releases…and more!
Cinco de Mayo (May 5, 1862)
Cinco de Mayo is also called “El Día de la Batalla de Puebla” (The Day of the Battle of Puebla). Although it’s often confused as Mexico’s Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s unlikely victory over France on May 5, 1862, near Puebla, Mexico during the Franco-Mexican War. Display Spanish language materials and look at this website for an impressive list of activities you can do to commemorate this holiday. http://www.mykidsadventures.com/cinco-de-mayo/
V-E Day (May 8, 1945)
The unconditional surrender of Germany was ratified at Berlin on May 8, a day thereafter known as V-E Day and marked by celebration of the Allied victory in Europe. Display your books, dvds, and audiobooks about World War II. Booktalk some historical fiction titles about WWII. Click here to find a long list of YA novels that fit this category: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2199.YA_Holocaust_WWII_Novels
National Chocolate Chip Day (May 15, 2017)
Ask children: “If you could put chocolate chips in any food, what would it be?” Have them write about or describe their fantasy food. Share a chocolate chip treat from this website http://www.thedailymeal.com/best-recipes/10-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipes-make-your-kids as you talk about the children’s creations.
Mary Pope Osborne’s Birthday (May 20, 1949)
Jack and Annie have been on many adventures throughout 50 stories in the Magic Tree House series. Display all of your children’s books, fiction and nonfiction, by this author. Challenge your young patrons to think of a title for a new Magic Tree House book. Enter them all in a random drawing to win…what else…a Magic Tree House book!
Scavenger Hunt Day (May 24)
Can you find a paper clip, a numbered tile, and a green rhinoceros? Challenge your patrons to a scavenger hunt around the library, park, or neighborhood. Pinterest has some great lists to get you started: https://www.pinterest.com/cat6745/scavenger-hunt-ideas/. In addition, prepare a display of Where’s Waldo and I Spy books for your patrons to borrow to keep the scavenger hunt fun going.
National Hamburger Day (May 28)
The humble hamburger is a staple of western culture. Burger joints, takeaway food outlets and all-night-eateries serve them up by the millions – with cheese, salad, gherkins and pickles, bacon and sauces. Display your grilling cookbooks along with a small grill and grilling tools.
Andrew Clements’ Birthday (May 29, 1949)
Andrew Clements is an American writer of many children’s books. His debut novel, Frindle has sold 2.5 million copies. Find reading group guides and curriculum guides by clicking on this link. http://www.andrewclements.com/readingGroupGuides.html
Bonus Nebraska Event Idea: Henry Fonda, Academy Award winning stage, television, and screen actor, was born May 16, 1905 in Grand Island. He began his acting career at the Omaha Playhouse. A film festival of his popular movies could be a fun event.
Library Trivia: On May 31, 1790, President George Washington signed the first United States copyright law. It gave protection for 14 years to books written by US citizens.
Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest for even more display ideas!