I am currently working on the kick-off for a year-long project of mine in 2021.
It is currently called Let’s Celebrate. I may change that but what won’t change is the Celebrate. What does it mean to celebrate?
verb
- Acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.
After 2020–we NEED more joy, happiness and fun. Each month I will be focusing on some National Celebration Month or Days and suggest some program ideas. If you have a favorite book, activity or program for a particular month or day you would like to share with me–I thank you!
Here is a picture I saw and have permission to share that came from my friend Kimberly Usselman from the Cumberland Public Library in Rhode Island. They are celebrating Dinovember at CPL and some Dinosaurs came in for a library card. Are you celebrating Dinovember at your library?
November is often known as the month of Gratitude. Check out the 30 Days of Gratitude Toolkit from the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Moment
Perhaps this would be a great time to hold a De-stressing Program. Who can you partner with in your community to offer a meditation, yoga or mindfulness program? Can you raise awareness to services available to help people in your community to de-stress? How about flyers to resources at your library that promote well-being? Maybe some aromatherapy bookmarks or stress-ball take & make kits might be helpful right now? I don’t need to tell you how many DIY stress ball & mindfulness jar ideas there are on Pinterest.
Colleges are great inspiration for de-stressing programs. I saw one college advertise Donuts & Dogs to de-stress at finals. While this idea might have to wait to a time when we can gather once again, you can easily transfer Spa Day DIYs and Coloring Clubs to online and make and takes.
One thing this year has taught us is how important outreach and collaboration is–libraries can and should be much more than just a place. Even if your patrons are unable to come into your library in the same way they have in the past, your library can still share resources and host programs that will leave them saying, “That was Just What I Needed”.