Educate, Connect, Inspire
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events in more than 193 countries.
These four brand new picture books pay tribute to the wonders of the natural world and are the perfect way to inspire children to preserve our earth for future generations.
It has been a while since I have posted a list of display ideas. I know preparing displays takes a lot of time and when our patrons were just pulling up to the curb, there was no reason to use the precious time we had to make displays that very few people came in to see. I believe things are moving more towards the “old normal” so, here are some upcoming celebrations you may want to feature in your display cases.
Celebrate Diversity Month
Celebrate Diversity Month started in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all. By celebrating differences and similarities during this month, organizers hope that people will get a deeper understanding of each other. Help kids see how big the world is by choosing books about people whose lives are very different from theirs for a display in the children’s area.
National Humor Month
Nothing can bring people together like laughter. Not to mention that laughter is good for us mentally and physically: a good chuckle can help relieve stress, burn calories and even boost your immune system! Click on this link for 8 activities to celebrate National Humor Month. Gather all your joke books and make a hilarious display.
National Poetry Month
National Poetry Month celebrates poems and poets with annual events taking place nationwide in April. Established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, the goal is to increase the visibility of the poetic form, as well as to increase access to it. For programs and resources relating to poetry, click on this link. Go through the 811 sections of your library, both adults and children, to find books for your display.
School Library Month
School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians’ celebration of school librarians and school libraries. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning. Click on this link for resources provided by AASL.
National Library Week (April 4-10)
The theme for National Library Week, “Welcome to Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building – and that everyone is welcome to use their services. During the pandemic libraries have been going above and beyond to adapt to our changing world by expanding their resources and continuing to meet the needs of their users. Whether people visit in person or virtually, libraries offer opportunities for everyone to explore new worlds and become their best selves through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs. Click on this link for free tools to publicize this celebration.
Draw a Bird Day (April 8, 2021)
Draw A Bird Day is a special movement, that was born in Great Britain during the 1940s. This movement spread to the other countries and it became very popular. Prepare a display of both drawing books and bird books. Hold a program, either virtually or in-person, where the participants are instructed how to draw a bird.
National Pet Day (April 11)
National Pet Day is April 11, although if you’re a pet owner, you know there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t celebrate your animal companion! It turns out that not only can pets steal our hearts, but they also contribute to overall cardiovascular health by lowering cortisol, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Display books about common (and some not-so-common) pets, for example dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, horses, and maybe even llamas. Click on this link for all kinds of facts about pets. (Think bookmarks!)
National D.E.A.R. Day (April 12)
National D.E.A.R. Day is celebrated every year on April 12th. That’s the birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary, whose characters Ramona and older sister Beezus are now favorites of a new generation of readers. On this day, families are encouraged to take at least 30 minutes to put aside all distractions and enjoy books together. Click on this link for printable posters and bookmarks as well as other resources.
Superhero Day (April 28, 2021)
Prepare a display of books, graphic novels, audiobooks and DVDs about Superheroes. Leave drawing paper and colored pencils beside the materials and ask your patrons to invent their own superheroes. Encourage them to design costumes and make a list of what problem their powers could solve. Hang all the drawings on a nearby bulletin board.
Oatmeal Cookie Day (April 30, 2021)
Although no record seems to exist regarding the origins of Oatmeal Cookie Day, the Internet is filled with evidence that it is a genuine celebration of what is considered to be the healthiest cookie of all. Oatcakes have been relied on to deliver quick boosts of energy since the middle ages and though recipes are today far more elaborate and tastier, oatmeal cookies are still trusted to supply a healthy dose of fiber and iron. First cultivated thousands of years ago and eaten as a type of porridge, oatmeal is now dressed in the finest of fruits, nuts, candies and spices to reign supreme in cookie jars around the world. Display your cookbooks with cookie recipes and buy boxes of Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pies (individually wrapped) to hand out to your patrons as they check out library material.
Spring is in the air…finally! I know it is too soon to think that the snow season is over, but with the time change this weekend, I am really hoping we are turning the corner towards warmer weather.
Keep America Beautiful Month
Display books about our national parks. Use this website to discover more about these treasures.
National Humor Month
Looking for ways to make patrons laugh? Try one of these 8 Activities to Celebrate National Humor Month.
National Poetry Month
There are endless poems to discover and enjoy in the library. Highlight the 811 section and spend the month reading aloud favorite poems from diverse voices.
School Library Month
School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians’ celebration of school librarians and school libraries. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning.
Sandra Boynton’s Birthday (April 3, 1953)
Sandra Keith Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children’s author and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated more than fifty books for both children and adults, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and five music albums. She has also designed calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys for various companies. Display her books and board books on a table in the children’s area.
Maya Angelou’s Birthday (April 4, 1928)
Maya Angelou was an American poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Prepare a display of her books and a book mark or checklist for your patrons to use to discover her titles.
National Pet Day (April 11)
Display books about pets and create pet rock necklaces using a few simple items and these directions from KinderArt.
National Library Week (April 19-25, 2020)
This year the ALA has selected the theme “Find Your Place at the Library.” Resources are available here.
National Arbor Day (April 24)
Can your patrons identify all of the trees around your library or neighborhood? Leaf-ID is an excellent resource for identifying trees by their leaves. Display your books about trees and leaves.
World Penguin Day (April 25)
Display books and DVDs about penguins. Set up a computer to show the Explore.org link to the Magellanic penguin exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.
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Winter has set in and all I can think about is next year’s Summer Reading Program workshop. I hope this list of 10 displays, programs, and activities will keep you warm.
National Slow Cooking Month
January is National Slow-Cooking Month and to celebrate, Tastefully Simple provides 22 slow-cooker recipes to make life a little easier and a lot more delicious! Display all your slow-cooker recipe books along with a variety of slow cookers. Plan a program where all the participants bring a slow cooker full of their favorite recipe to share.
National Soup Month
January is a pretty chilly month for most of the country, and nothing is better on a cold day than a bowl of hot soup. Here’s a guide to the 50 Soups of America, one for every state. Display your soup cookbooks with soup pots and ladles. Make a list of popular and not-so-popular soups and let your patrons vote for their favorite
Science Fiction Day (January 2)
This date for the celebration was chosen to correspond with the official birth date of famed science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, who is thought to have been born January 2nd, 1920. The holiday focuses on a genre of literature that explores the effect of imaginary change through technological innovations, scientific discoveries, natural events and disasters and evolution on people and their relationships. Usually, works of science fiction (sci-fi) are set in the near or distant future, and unlike fantasy, sci-fi tends to stay away from the supernatural and the magical. Make a book display of science fiction across all formats, including novels, picture books, graphic novels, and audiobooks.
National Trivia Day (January 4)
National Trivia Day is observed across the United States each year on January 4.
The word trivia is plural for the word trivium. Over time, the word “trivia” has come to refer to obscure and arcane bits of dry knowledge as well as nostalgic remembrances of pop culture. Host a Trivial Pursuit or a Quiz Bowl-style competition for your teens. Go to your local bar and have a Pub Quiz night.
National Cuddle Up Day (January 6)
Bring in some pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags and offer your young patrons a chance to “cuddle up with a good book” during their visit to the library or the reading corner.
Static Electricity Day (January 9)
This is a day to honor this unexpected, mostly unpleasant, and sometimes hair rising phenomenon. Static electricity occurs due to an accumulation of positive electric charges on an object’s surface. Display your science experiment books and set up these 5 easy static electricity experiments.
Winnie the Pooh Day (January 18)
Celebrate the birth of author A.A. Milne on this day in 1882 with 35 Winnie the Pooh Quotes for Every Facet of Life. Display your Winnie the Pooh books and DVDs.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20, 2020)
Commemorate the life of the civil rights leader by sharing Freedom’s Ring, an animation of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Display books from all areas of your collection about the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Library Shelfie Day (January 22)
Today’s a great day to celebrate our love of books. Take a photo of your library shelves, holds cart, or anywhere else you’ve got books stacked up, and share it on social media.
Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (January 27)
Host a collection drive of leftover bubble wrap. Challenge your teens and tweens to use it to design a safe landing pad for an egg dropped from 5–10 feet in the air.
The weather today is making me think of November. Cold weather and mustaches. Odd combination…I know. The cold weather is obvious and it will soon be No-Shave November. Print pictures of Victorian-era men with their top hats and mustaches on regular letter-sized paper. Then make a sign with a big mustache in the middle of it with the words, “Excuse Me, but I [picture of mustache here] you to check out these books. Arrange the printouts, the sign and an assortment of random books on the shelf. Make some mustaches out of construction paper and put them on the people (and/or animals) on the covers of the books on that display. The books don’t really need to have anything in common, other than the fake mustaches that you apply. Here are ten more display and program ideas for the eleventh month of the year…November.
American Indian Heritage Month
There are many special programs and educational presentations put on for American Indian Heritage Day each year. And school children often spend time learning about Native American history and traditions on or leading up to this special day. Prepare a display for all ages that includes materials by and about Native Americans and Indigenous peoples. Leave it up for the whole month.
National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau with a goal to increase national awareness and bring attention to the need for permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. foster care system. Every family looks different. These 25 Children’s Books About Adoption to read aloud can help your young patrons expand what it looks like to be in a family. Display these books and read and talk about one of them during a storytime this month.
National Diabetes Month
In November, National Diabetes Month focuses attention on the growing cost of diabetes on American’s health. From the physical, emotional and social effects to financial and damaging health, diabetes impacts more than 30 million people in the United States. Also known as American Diabetes Month, the month focuses on making healthy changes and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Display books about diabetes and healthy cooking. Host a panel of medical professionals to raise awareness. Go to https://www.diabetes.org/ for more information.
National Novel Writing Month
Encourage your young writers to take a shot at writing a novel this month. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, empowering approach to creative writing. The challenge: draft an entire novel in just one month. Set aside some “open writing time” in your program room during November to entice those with an unwritten novel inside them to let it out.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (November 7, 1908)
Create a display of Western films and books in honor of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, reportedly killed on this day in 1908.
Tongue Twister Day (November 8)
Challenge patrons to repeat one of these 20 Popular Tongue Twisters. Give a prize to everyone who tries. Video the attempts and post them on your Facebook page. Display books that include tongue twisters and jokes.
Veterans Day (November 11)
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, that is, persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Honor our armed forces with a display of remarkable military films.
National Button Day (November 16)
Create a maker station with an assortment of colored buttons for patrons, young and old, to explore on their own or use to make one of these 20 Adorable Button Crafts for Kids.
Mickey Mouse Day (November 18)
Mickey Mouse was first introduced to the world on this day in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie. Today Mickey Mouse is one of the most recognized characters for people of all ages around the world. Display all types of materials about Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang.
National Games and Puzzle Week (November 24-30, 2019)
While everyone is gathering for Thanksgiving, it’s time for National Game and Puzzle Week. Challenge patrons to a tournament and create fun memories! Grab the cards, board games and puzzles and have fun. Schedule multi-generational activities over the holiday break that include board games and puzzles. Feature a different puzzle style each day this week with a passive program handout. Make a display of games and puzzles that can be checked out of your library.
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Library Card Sign-Up Month
Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep and friends are joining ALA on an adventure to promote the value of a library card. They’ll be reminding the public that signing up for a library card opens a world of infinite possibilities. A variety of Toy Story 4 posters, stickers and bookmarks are available now for purchase through the ALA Store. Click this link for complete information.
Save Your Photos Month
Every year during the month of September, photo organizers, companies, and retailers work together to raise awareness and educate the public about the benefits of safeguarding their photos. Participation ranges from social media sharing, online classes, local presentations, weekend retreats and community scanning events. Click on this link to learn more. Sponsor a scrapbooking day at your library to support this initiative.
National Read-a-Book Day (September 6, 2019)
Break out your reading glasses and favorite mug of hot coffee, because it’s National Read a Book Day! Prepare a poster using the information on this webpage and place it with your display of New Books. You could plan a “Read-In” and invite everyone to the library to sit and read quietly for a couple of hours.
National Video Games Day (September 12)
National Video Games Day is observed annually on September 12. Video game players across the United States enjoy this day with much pride and enthusiasm. From their earliest days, video games have transformed into something more than just a 2D interactive experience. Use this occasion to highlight your video game collection (if you have one) or borrow a game console and hold a video game tournament.
Roald Dahl’s Birthday (September 13, 1916)
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Place a poster in the stacks next to Dahl’s books or bring them out to a display area. Prepare a bookmark with a checklist of titles for your patrons to pick up. Click this link to learn more about this classic author: https://www.roalddahl.com/home/grown-ups.
National Online Learning Day (September 15, 2019)
National Online Learning Day showcases how students of all ages are thriving with the ability to learn online—anywhere, anytime. It seeks to cultivate awareness of, and support for, this ever-growing community of learners and to celebrate the future of online education—wherever technology and our imaginations take us! Place a notice of this special day near your public computers. You could sponsor a program with your local community college about online learning opportunities for people in your community.
Stephen King’s Birthday (September 21, 1947)
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy novels. His books have sold more than 350 million copies, many of which have been adapted into feature films, miniseries, television series, and comic books. King has published 58 novels and six non-fiction books. He has written approximately 200 short stories, most of which have been published in book collections. He has a book and a movie coming out this September. Arrange a display of King’s books and movies. Prepare a list of his novels from the official website https://www.stephenking.com/ and be ready to use interlibrary loan to borrow the titles you don’t have.
Hobbit Day (September 22)
September 22nd is the Birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, two characters from J.R.R. Tolkien’s popular Middle Earth Cycle books (The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings) in which Hobbits, typically between two and four feet tall and nothing like your usual hero, accomplish great feats and amazing acts of courage. It is in honor of these creatures and those acts that the day is celebrated with events not unlike the birthday party described in the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring. Display Tolkien’s books and movies or hold an event involving feasts, games, and costumes.
National Comic Book Day (September 25, 2019)
This holiday celebrates one of America’s most famous literary exports —the comic book. These publications —as we know them today —first originated in the United States in the 1930s. While they were first typically humorous in nature, it didn’t take long for authors to apply the comic style to all genres of storytelling. Today, comic books are celebrated by trading, collecting, attending conventions, online discussions and more. The genre has grown to include full-length novels, or graphic novels, and inspired countless movie adaptations. How will you celebrate? Display some of your graphic novels or find someone in your community with a traditional comic book collection and ask to put it in your display case. Consider having your own Comic-Con.
National Coffee Day (September 29)
Coffee is as integral a part of American culture as McDonald’s, rock n’ roll, and blue jeans. But if it weren’t for the Boston Tea Party of 1773, Americans may never have adopted coffee as their national morning beverage of choice. When the colonies revolted against King George III’s reduction of the tea tax, this sparked a mass switch from tea-drinking to coffee-drinking. Brew a big pot of coffee and offer your patrons a cup on this special day.
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May will be here before you know it. Mother’s Day, graduations, and Memorial Day. We are on the slippery slide that takes us into Summer! A lot of your display area will be featuring astronauts and outer space, but here are ten more ideas for programming and displays.
National Bike Month
Bring a small bike into the library and place it on a table. Gather books about bikes, fiction and nonfiction and display them on the table around the bike. Use this guide to hold a bike rodeo where the children of your community can practice and develop skills that will help them to become better bicyclists and avoid typical crashes.
Star Wars Day (May 4)
May the Fourth Be With You! And beware tomorrow – Revenge of the 5th! Prepare a display of all your Star Wars books and DVDs. Make origami Star Wars characters using the help of Tom Angleberger’s popular Origami Yoda series.
Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-11)
Teacher Appreciation Week is a week-long celebration in recognition of teachers and the contributions they make to education and society. It is held in the first full week of May of every year and provides an opportunity for students, their parents, and school principals to show their appreciation for the hard work teachers do and the long hours many of them put in. Prepare a display of books that feature school and teachers. Remind you patrons to show their appreciation for the teachers in your community.
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Established (May 8, 1877)
The first ever Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was held 142 years ago. Prepare a display of your nonfiction dog books—children’s or adult’s. Invite a local breeder to give a presentation on show dogs and their characteristics.
Christopher Paul Curtis’s Birthday (May 10, 1953)
Curtis was born in Flint, Michigan. He is an American writer of children’s books. He is known for the Newbery Medal-winning Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963. The latter was adapted for a TV movie of the same name, which aired on the Hallmark Channel in 2013. Place a small poster acknowledging his birthday on the shelves near his books.
National Chocolate Chip Day (May 15)
Fill a mason jar with different kinds of chocolate chips and place it on the circulation desk near the checkout station. Challenge all who borrow material today to estimate how many are inside. Offer a package of chocolate chip cookies for the closest guess.
National Pick Strawberries Day (May 20)
Visit a local strawberry patch or pick up a pint of fresh strawberries. Encourage patrons to try out a new recipe to celebrate the beginning of strawberry season. Find books in your collection that have the word “strawberry” in the title and display them on a red tablecloth with printouts of the recipes for patrons to take home.
Margaret Wise Brown’s Birthday (May 23, 1910)
What child hasn’t been lulled to sleep by the gentle rhymes of Margaret Wise Brown’s classic Goodnight Moon? Brown, a former teacher, believed that very young children could be fascinated in the simple pleasures of the world around them, and created some of the most enduring and beloved children s books of all time. Develop a display in the children’s room with the book and items from the Goodnight Moon story.
Memorial Day (May 27, 2019)
Honor those who died in the service of our nation. Display books about the monuments erected to commemorate those in the armed forces lost in combat. Give your patrons small flags to decorate their yards.
World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
Pull together a list of tobacco cessation resources to hand out or feature on your social media.
BONUS Library Trivia – The New York Public Library was dedicated on May 23, 1911.
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Finally, we are having some days with sunshine! Maybe spring has not abandoned us. I didn’t know if I was going to make it through this spell of crazy weather, but the sunshine is making me hopeful. Find a number of books with covers that are a sunny yellow. Get some artificial daffodils (try the Dollar Tree), pin them to the board, and prepare a display with the words “Spring Into a Good Book.” You will smile every time someone checks out a yellow book. Here are ten more display and program ideas for April.
National Humor Month
National Humor Month was conceived as a means to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor. Laughter and joy – the benchmarks of humor – lead to improved well-being, boosted morale, increased communication skills, and an enriched quality of life. It’s no coincidence that the month begins with April Fool’s Day, a day which has sanctioned frivolity and amusement for hundreds of years. Display your joke and riddle books and the funny picture books on this list. This website is loaded with resources and projects related to humor. Laugh it up!
National Poetry Month
National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture. Display poetry books from all areas of your collection along with your free National Poetry Month poster. Click here for 30 ways to celebrate.
School Library Month
School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians’ celebration of school librarians and their programs. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning. The 2019 theme is Everyone Belongs @ Your School Library and the 2019 spokesperson is Dav Pilkey. Click on this link http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/slm for free web graphics and printable posters for your display.
Maya Angelou’s Birthday (April 4, 1928)
Maya Angelou was an American poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Create a display of her work and those inspired by her.
National Library Week (April 7-13, 2019)
The theme for this year is Libraries = Strong Communities. Melinda Gates is the 2019 National Library Week Honorary Chair. Go to this website for social media graphics for your Facebook or Twitter account.
National Unicorn Day (April 9)
National Unicorn Day is observed annually on April 9. Unicorns have been a popular mythical creature since the Ancient Greek times, when people believed they lived in exotic India. While they were originally considered to be fierce, powerful animals, they are now often seen as a symbol of love, purity, enchantment and magic. Unicorns appear in many movies and cartoons as magical creatures. They are depicted as a horse-like creature with a single pointed horn in the middle of their foreheads. Unicorns are loved by both children and adults. Coordinate an all-unicorn program of crafts and fun.
Sinking of the Titanic (April 15, 1912)
The Titanic sank on this day in 1912 in the icy Atlantic. Display your books and watch the movie…again.
Yankee Stadium Opened (April 18, 1923)
Celebrate baseball with a special display today. Gather your books—fiction and nonfiction—and add some gloves, bats, and balls to attract attention. Prepare a bookmark with a list of baseball books using this website for the final touch.
First Female IndyCar Winner (April 20, 2008)
On this day in 2008, Danica Patrick became the first female IndyCar winner when she won the Indy Japan 300 in Montegi, Japan. Feature books on race car driving today.
National Audubon Day (April 26)
April 26th is designated as National Audubon Day. This day is set aside to honor the birth of John James Audubon (April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851). Audubon was a French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter noted for his extensive studies of American birds and his detailed illustrations of the birds in their natural habitats. Display your books about birds with some decorative bird houses.
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March is only one week away! What happened to February? Here at the CPLS Office, we have been wrapped up in “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead” February. We have enjoyed a month-long learning adventure. When I think about March, leprechauns in green hats holding clovers come to mind. If you want to construct a leprechaun trap, follow this link for 85+ Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day Mischief and Fun. Here are ten more display and program ideas for March.
Read Aloud 15 Minutes Month
Reading aloud is the “single most important activity” parents can do to prepare their child for reading and learning. This website includes information about the 21-Day Challenge going on in March 2019. Download posters, infographics, certificates of participation and more!
Women’s History Month
The theme for 2019 is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence.” This year we honor women who have led efforts to end war, violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society. Display books about women’s history including biographies. For more information or to order posters, follow this link.
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (March 2)
Since March 2nd is a Saturday this year, the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is celebrated on Friday, March 1. Click on this link for activities that are perfect for celebrating readers all year long. Display your Dr. Seuss books and dvds. These items get checked out anyway, but once they are displayed, they will circulate by the bag-full.
Teen Tech Week (March 3-9, 2019)
Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by YALSA and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of Teen Tech Week is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of digital media. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to use libraries’ nonprint resources for education and recreation, and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology. Teen Tech Week has a general theme of Get Connected @ your library. Millions of teens do not have access to a home computer and, were it not for libraries, would miss opportunities to gain important digital literacy skills. Libraries offer a bridge across the digital divide. Libraries also recognize that digital media plays an important part in a teens’ life. That is why more libraries than ever are helping teens build critical digital literacy skills, which they will use to obtain scholarships, secure jobs, effectively manage their online identity and more. Click on this link for a variety of resources in addition to 50 Ideas for Celebrating TTW.
Dav Pilkey’s Birthday (March 4, 1966)
Share some amazing book trailers for Pilkey’s popular series with your readers of all ages, including the book trailer for Dog Man 6: Brawl of the Wild. Display Pilkey’s books on a table in your children’s area with bookmarks listing his book series.
Pi Day (March 14)
Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It’s approximately equivalent to 3.14159265359. Pi Day is a great reason to participate in “Pi” activities. Here are just a few:
Freedom of Information Day (March 16)
Freedom of Information Day is an annual event on March 16, the birthday of James Madison, who is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution and the foremost advocate for openness in government. Each year, the James Madison Award and the Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award are presented by ALA on Freedom of Information Day to recognize those individuals or groups that have championed, protected, and promoted public access to government information and the public’s right to know. Go to this link for more information.
World Poetry Day (March 21)
World Poetry Day is celebrated on March 21, and was declared by UNESCO in 1999. Its purpose is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world and, as the original UNESCO declaration says, to “give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements”.
Tolkien Reading Day (March 25)
Celebrated around the world on March 25, Tolkien Reading Day is a favorite among fans of the renowned author. Display books, audiobooks, and DVDs of Tolkien’s works.
National Crayon Day (March 31)
Get out crayons, paper, and coloring books (including adult coloring pages), and encourage your patrons to get creative with coloring!
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I think of pink hearts and chocolate candy when February comes around. Prepare a display of books with red, pink, and white covers and then scatter these “pun-ny” hearts on the edges of the shelves. Here are ten more February display and program ideas.
American Heart Month
Educate your patrons about heart health with a display that includes resources for wellness, physical activity, and delicious healthy eating (i.e. cookbooks, exercise books and DVDs, etc.). This website includes printable handouts on many aspects of heart health.
Black History Month
Each year beginning on February 1, an entire month of events are planned nationwide honoring the history and contributions of African Americans. The theme for Black History Month 2019 follows “Black Migrations” honoring African Americans in motion — as they moved from the farm to the cities, and from poverty to the national stage in business, politics, literature and the arts. Prepare a display of all types of library materials. This website provides 7 meaningful ways to celebrate Black History Month. Go to the ALA store for posters and bookmarks.
Library Lovers’ Month
Share some love for the library with a heart-filled bulletin board display featuring all of the things your patrons love about the library and reading.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Birthday (February 7, 1867)
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was an American writer known for the Little House on the Prairie series of children’s books, published between 1932 and 1943, which were based on her childhood in a settler and pioneer family. Display the series of books and DVDs of the television show based on the books.
John Grisham’s Birthday (February 8, 1955)
John Ray Grisham Jr. is an American novelist, attorney, politician, and activist, best known for his popular legal thrillers. His books have been translated into 42 languages and published worldwide. Celebrate by creating a bookmark that lists his titles.
National Umbrella Day (February 10, 2019)
Display books with umbrellas on the cover along with some brightly colored umbrellas. The fun colors will perk everyone up…you could even risk bad luck by opening some of the umbrellas on display.
Presidents’ Day (February 18, 2019)
Celebrate all presidents past and present with a display of biographies and autobiographies.
Colt Revolver Patented (February 25, 1836)
A favorite of the Texas Rangers cavalry, Samuel Colt patented his revolver design on this day in 1836. Build a display of cowboy and western films and novels.
International Polar Bear Day (February 27, 2019)
This day says that you must reduce your carbon emissions and lower your thermostat level at least on February 27. On this day, many zoos will advertise and encourage visitors to show their support for polar bears. Display both children and adult books about polar bears and endangered species.
National Tooth Fairy Day (February 28, 2019)
Gather and display all your picture books that are based on the Tooth Fairy.
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