January is starting off really cold. We can hope that, by February, it will be a teeny bit warmer (above zero would be nice). For this month, you could put together a display of teddy bears and make a sign that says Winter is Bear-able with Books. Here are 10 more display ideas for February.
Black History Month
Each year beginning on February 1, an entire month of events is planned nationwide honoring the history and contributions of African Americans. The theme for Black History Month in 2018 is “African Americans in Times of War” honoring those brave men and women who served their countries in the armed forces, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the American ideals of freedom and democracy. For poems, quotations, and lesson plans go to http://www.chiff.com/education/black-history-month.htm.
National Bird-Feeding Month
Display nonfiction books about birds, including the Audubon Guide to North American Birds to help patrons identify birds at their bird feeders. Books about how to build bird houses and feeders would be a good addition to the display as well as a bag of bird seed.
World Read Aloud Day (February 1, 2018)
Everyone in the world should get to read and write. Every year, on World Read Aloud Day, people all around the globe read aloud together and share stories to advocate for literacy as a human right that belongs to all people. Reading aloud to children every day puts them almost a year ahead of children who do not receive daily read alouds. Go to http://www.litworld.org/wrad to download the full World Read Aloud Day Event and Activity Packet.
Super Bowl Sunday (February 4, 2018)
Super Bowl 52, also known as Super Bowl LII, is set to be played on February 4, 2018 under the dome at state-of-the-art U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Display all of your books about football, NFL football teams, and biographies of famous football players.
National Weatherperson’s Day (February 5)
February 5th is National Weatherman’s Day, commemorating the birth of John Jeffries in 1744. Jeffries, a Boston physician and one of America’s first weather observers, began taking daily weather observations in Boston in 1774. He took the first balloon weather observation over London in 1784. He carried a thermometer, a barometer, and a hygrometer to the height of 9000 feet. This is a day to recognize the men and women who collectively provide Americans with the best weather, water, and climate forecasts and warning services of any nation. Display books about the weather and invite your local meteorologist to talk about weather forecasting.
Jules Verne’s Birthday (February 8, 1828)
This French writer, sometime called “the father of science fiction,” wrote Around the World in Eighty Days and Twenty Thousand leagues Under the Sea as well as many other novels. Make a poster and place it on the shelf with his famous works. Maybe it will encourage some to spend the cold winter nights rereading these exciting stories.
2018 Winter Olympics (February 9 – 25, 2018)
PyeongChang, South Korea, hosts the 23rd Winter Olympic Games. When the Olympics are on, we all watch sports that we normally don’t follow. It is exciting to watch Americans compete and to see which country has the most medals. A medal board would make a great display. Add books about winter sports and past Olympians to draw patrons’ interest. You could include information about South Korea and a map to show where the games are taking place. Go to http://www.nbcolympics.com/ for more on the Olympic Games.
Sidney Sheldon’s Birthday (February 11, 1917)
This prolific American writer was born Sidney Schectel at Chicago, Illinois. He wrote for movies, Broadway musicals, and TV series, including “The Patty Duke Show” and “I Dream of Jeannie.” In 1969, after winning both an Academy Award and a Tony Award, he moved to writing novels and became one of the bestselling novelists in history, as titles such as Rage of Angels, Windmills of the Gods and The Other Side of Midnight were translated into 51 languages. All together Sheldon’s books sold more than 300 million copies. He died in California in 2007. Display Sheldon’s books along with a bookmark listing his many accomplishments.
Valentine’s Day (February 14)
Have you wanted to try the Blind Date With a Book program? Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to start. Select a variety of fiction books and place blank book review slips in them. Wrap them in red and pink wrapping paper. Leave only the barcode uncovered. Make an eye-catching display near your circulation desk. As people check the books out, ask patrons to fill out the book review slip inside before returning them. This is a fun way to get people to read books by new or less popular authors.
Presidents’ Day (February 19, 2018)
Presidents’ Day observes the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Present usage often regards Presidents’ Day as a day to honor all former presidents of the United States. This year you could focus on Abraham Lincoln. Display books and other material about our sixteenth President. Look in all the library’s collections…adult, children’s, fiction, nonfiction, and media.
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