As I am looking out the window at snow and anticipating even more tomorrow, I cannot believe the First Day of Spring is next month! March is the month where everyone thinks about green…St. Patrick’s Day, Spring, Frogs, etc. Pull books that have predominantly green covers and make a sign that says It’s Not Easy Being Green! Display them with a Kermit the Frog stuffed animal, puppet or picture. Your youngest patrons may not remember the song, but anyone over 30 should. Here are ten more display and programming ideas for March:
National Nutrition Month
Make this month all about healthy eating. Display your books and cookbooks on this topic—for all age levels—along with handouts and activity sheets that you can find on this website. Schedule programs such as “Smart Snacking” for kids and “How to Eat Healthy on a Budget” for adults. Host a “Lunch and Learn.” Create a “Nutrition Question of the Day” or Week and give out small prizes by drawing from the correct answers.
Music In Our Schools Month
Music In Our Schools Month is the National Association for Music Education’s annual celebration which engages music educators, students, and communities from around the country in promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in schools. Music In Our Schools Month began as a single statewide Advocacy Day and celebration in New York in 1973 and grew over the decades to become a month-long celebration of school music in 1985. Go to https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/ to learn how to participate.
Women’s History Month
The National Women’s History Project has chosen the theme “Nevertheless She Persisted” for 2018. This theme presents the opportunity to honor women who have shaped America’s history and its future through their tireless commitment to ending discrimination against women and girls. Display your books about women’s suffrage, the feminist movement and biographies of women. Go to http://www.nwhp.org/ to learn more about the resources available to your library during this month.
National Pig Day (March 1)
National Pig Day is an event held annually in the United States to celebrate the pig. The celebration was started in 1972 by sisters Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave. The purpose of National Pig Day is “to accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man’s most intellectual and domesticated animals.” Have your own pig party and celebrate Elephant & Piggie-style with Mo Willems’ Happy Pig Day! An event kit is available. Display all the rest of Elephant and Piggie’s books, too!
Read Across America Day (March 2)
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by doing something awesome with reading! Visit students in a younger grade and read aloud to them. Go to my Pinterest page for Dr. Seuss-inspired food, activities, and decorations.
U.S. Paper Money Day (March 10)
Hold a program to challenge your patrons to put their origami skills to the test to transform a handful of dollar bills into an amazing folded creation. Go to this website for instructions: https://www.origami-resource-center.com/money-origami.html. Display a few of the staff’s creations on the Circulation Desk to entice workshop attendance.
Ezra Jack Keats Birthday (March 11, 1916)
Ezra Jack Keats was an American writer and illustrator of children’s books. He won the 1963 Caldecott Medal for illustrating The Snowy Day, which he also wrote. It is considered one of the most important American books of the 20th century. Go to http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/ for information about his books, activities, and grant opportunities. Display all your Keats books in the Children’s area.
First Day of Spring (March 20)
Display all your titles that include the word “Spring.” Hold a crafting workshop for children to make simple, yet beautiful, rainbow flowers in honor of springtime. Find the instructions here: http://twitchetts.com/2017/03/construction-paper-rainbow-flowers.html/.
Randolph Caldecott Birthday (March 22, 1846)
Randolph Caldecott was an English artist and illustrator, born in Chester. The Caldecott Medal was named in his honor. Display your Caldecott winners and honor books. Find a complete list on the American Library Association’s website.
National Pencil Day (March 30)
Provide pencils, paper, and drawing books, and encourage your young patrons to let their imaginations run wild as they create pencil sketches. Request up to 35 “Mood” pencils from the System Office via email (denise.cpls@gmail.com) to give away to anyone that draws a sketch. Mood pencils start out one color and the warmth of your hand makes it change to a different color.
Follow me on Pinterest for even more display ideas.