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:
- Pie Baking Contest
Encourage patrons bake pies and bring them to the library for a pie eating competition. - Pi Recitation Contest
Have a contest on how many digits of the Pi can a contestant recite. The one with the most digits will take home a delicious pie. - Eating Pi foods
“Pizza” and “Pineapple. These are just examples of food starting with “Pi”. Share this food with patrons during Pi day. - “Pi” word challenge
Put that fork down and pick up that pen. Conduct a contest on how many words starting with “Pi” can a patron write. The winner will get (of course) an appetizing pie.
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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