Brrrrr! It certainly FEELS like November today. Now is the time to get dried cornstalks to tie together. Add gourds, pumpkins, and a cornucopia for a beautiful autumn display outside the library’s front door. Here are 10 more display and decorating ideas for November.
Aviation History Month
Celebrating the anniversary of aeronautical experiments in November 1782. These experiments led to the invention of the hot-air balloon, man’s first flight and the entire science of aviation and flight. Ask your patrons for model airplanes to display along with books about the pioneers of aviation.
King Tut Tomb Discovery (November 4, 1922)
In 1922, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of modern times occurred at Luxor, Egypt. It was the tomb of Egypt’s child-king, Tutankhamen, who became pharaoh at the age of nine and died, probably in the year 1352 BC, when he was 19. Prepare a display of books and DVDs about ancient Egypt and the treasure found in King Tut’s Tomb.
German Scientist Discovers X-Rays (November 8, 1895)
On this day in 1895, physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen became the first person to observe X-rays, a significant scientific advancement that would ultimately benefit a variety of fields, most of all medicine, by making the invisible visible. Make an X-ray craft to celebrate this achievement.
Sesame Street TV Premiere (November 10, 1969)
An important, successful, long-running children’s show, Sesame Street educates children while they have fun. It takes place along a city street, featuring a diverse cast of humans and puppets. Which Sesame Street character best describes you? Find out with this fun quiz. Display books and DVDs that feature the characters from this popular program.
Veterans Day (November 11)
Formerly called Armistice Day and proclaimed each year since 1926. This holiday celebrates that at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month fighting ceased in World War I. Display books about military history to commemorate this day.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Birthday (November 11, 1922)
Kurt Vonnegut was a novelist and playwright, born at Indianapolis, Indiana. 1969’s Slaughterhouse-Five, part of which was based on his WWII experience as a German prisoner of war, is frequently cited as one of the 100 best novels of the 20th century. Place a sign in the stacks near his titles.
Georgia O’Keeffe’s Birthday (November 15, 1887)
This American artist was best known for her paintings of enlarged flowers, New York skyscrapers, and New Mexico landscapes. Place a small poster on the shelves near art books containing O’Keeffe’s paintings.
Button Day (November 16)
Use buttons of all sizes, shapes, and colors in one of these cool button crafts from Today’s Parent magazine. Display a jar of buttons and give a small prize to the patron who guesses the number closest to the number of buttons in the jar.
National Game and Puzzle Week (November 19-25)
Held during the week of Thanksgiving each year, National Game and Puzzle Week encourages family and friends to spend time together. The American Library Association’s youth division, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) created a list with several reproducible games and puzzles that you can distribute.
P.D. Eastman’s Birthday (November 25, 1909)
Philip Dey “Phil” Eastman was an American screenwriter, children’s author and illustrator. Make a small display with a poster and Eastman’s two most famous books, Go, Dog, Go! and Are You My Mother?
Library Trivia: President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid the cornerstone for his Presidential Library at Hyde Park, New York, on November 19, 1939. This was the first Presidential Library.
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