Today is a beautiful fall day and harvest is in full-swing. It is time to think about the holidays that are fast-approaching and the displays you want to prepare in advance of that busy time. November and Thanksgiving are all about being thankful for what we have been given. In the spirit of sharing gratitude, put out Post-its and pens near a fall-themed bulletin board asking “What’s your favorite thing about our community?” Here are 10 more display and program ideas plus one bonus bit of library trivia.
Child Safety and Protection Month
It is everyone’s job to help keep children safe. Teachers and parents can request free McGruff Safe Kids ID Kits using this website: https://www.mcgruffsafekit.com/united-states.
National Family Literacy Month
The National Center for Families Learning has prepared a guide to 30 Days of Families Learning Together. This guide provides a month’s worth of family literacy activities and practices designed to inspire family memories rooted in imagining, playing, and learning together. See this guide at http://30days.familieslearning.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/NCFL30Days.pdf. (Also available in Spanish)
Discovery of King Tutankhamen’s Tomb (November 4, 1922)
King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered on this day in 1922. Build a display of archeology resources, Egyptian travel guides and Middle Eastern history.
Veterans Day (November 11)
Prepare a display of books about military history. It will honor those who have served and those who have lost their lives in service to our country.
National Pickle Day (November 14)
On National Pickle Day, host a brined-food tasting program with sweet, sour, spicy and strange flavors of pickled vegetables. Offer tasting scorecards to encourage discussion, and judge favorites. Display your books about pickling and preservation.
James Bond’s Birthday (November 16)
This is one of the dates celebrated as James Bond’s birthday (the other is November 11). Celebrate Ian Fleming’s most enduring character with a display of super spy flicks and books.
World Hello Day (November 21)
Learn how to say “Hello” in 100 languages with pronunciation guides and map locators. https://bilingua.io/how-to-say-hello-in-100-languages.
Black Friday (November 23)
Create a display of “Black Friday Deals” featuring book bundles, new books and tried-and-true favorites for patrons to check out on this special deal day!
Red Planet Day (November 28)
The planet Mars is referred to as the “Red Planet” because it appears red in color. Red Planet Day honors our celestial neighbor, the fourth planet in the solar system. On Red Planet Day, take a few minutes to look upwards into the sky, and gaze at our neighbor. Hopefully, you will have a cloudless night sky for viewing. You can also recognize this day by reading up about Mars, and viewing pictures of it. Red Planet Day commemorates the launch of the Spacecraft Mariner 4 on November 28,1964. The 228-day mission of Mariner 4 brought the spacecraft within 6,118 miles of Mars on July 14, 1965.
Rita Mae Brown’s Birthday (November 28, 1944)
Author Rita Mae Brown was born in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her first novel Rubyfruit Jungle. Brown is also a mystery writer and screenwriter. Draw attention to her murder-mysteries by placing a small poster on the shelf near them.
Library Trivia – The first Library of Congress building opened to the public on November 1, 1897.
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