It is hard to think about the New Year when we are all wrapped up in the holidays. Here is an easy bulletin board to put up to start off the year. Cover the board with bright yellow or gold paper. Add the title “2018: New Year, New Books.” Then add book jackets from the new titles in your collection. Here are ten more display ideas to start 2018 off right.
Brain Teaser Month
Challenge patrons to solve riddles and brain teasers from this website https://www.everythingmom.com/parenting/45-riddles-and-brain-teasers-for-kids. Offer a prize for the most correct answers.
National Soup Month
This is a terrific time to display all your soup cookbooks. You could even get preschoolers involved by sharing your favorite version of the folktale Stone Soup.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday (January 3, 1892)
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor who is best known as the author of the classic high-fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. Make a poster and display all versions of Tolkien’s works (i.e. books, dvds, audiobooks, graphic novels, etc.).
Trivia Day (January 4)
The origins of Trivia Day may be obscure, but librarians can appreciate the challenge of finding bits of information. This year, have some fun with trivia at http://www.triviachamp.com/. This site includes lots of trivia facts in addition to free printable trivia questions. Host a trivia contest for your patrons…you could even have a Trivial Pursuit game night.
Amelia Earhart Day (January 11)
To honor this pioneer, display biographies of female aviators and astronauts. This is the perfect opportunity to feature model airplanes. Ask your patrons to bring in any models they have constructed and place them on top of your shelves or suspend them from the ceiling.
Jack London’s Birthday (January 12, 1876)
John Griffith “Jack” London was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist. A pioneer in the world of commercial magazine fiction, he was one of the first writers to become a worldwide celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing. He was also an innovator in the genre that would later become known as science fiction. Display London’s books along with a bookmark listing all his titles.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15)
Although Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, the federal holiday has been celebrated on the third Monday in January by Presidential Proclamation since 1986. (It just so happens that the third Monday of the month this year IS January 15.) Display your books and DVDs about the civil rights era along with biographies of Dr. King.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday (January 19, 1809)
This American poet and story writer was born at Boston, Massachusetts. He is best remembered for his poetry, especially The Raven, and for his tales of suspense. Place a poster in the stacks near Poe’s works, or host a late night reading of The Tell-Tale Heart.
International Puzzle Day (January 29)
Display your puzzle, riddle, and I Spy books.
Zane Grey’s Birthday (January 31, 1872)
Pearl Zane Grey was an American author and dentist best known for his popular adventure novels and stories associated with the Western genre in literature and the arts; he idealized the American frontier. Riders of the Purple Sage was his best-selling book. Display books and audiobooks by this popular author. Prepare a bookmark with all of his titles. Be ready to request the books that you don’t have through interlibrary loan.
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