Social Library, Volume 122
Jennifer Peterson
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27 November 2018
Up next in our Social Library series, we’re sharing innovative approaches from libraries we follow on Facebook related to Harry Potter, veterans, health literacy, water safety and baby karaoke. This range of services and programming demonstrates the scope of examples we continue to compile from your great work in libraries. If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition, please let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.
- Anacortes Public Library in Washington hosted a spectacular Harry Potter Night, Fantastic Beasts Edition this month. "Dress in your wizarding finest for a magical night of fun for all ages at the Anacortes Public Library. Join us for APL's 4th annual Genre Night, Harry Potter Night: Fantastic Beasts Edition. We'll have Costumes, Activities, Prizes and Snacks for all ages, with Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts characters throughout the library. Celebrate the magic of reading at the library for this special celebration of one of the world's most beloved book series of all time." The Anacortes American shared a preview video on Facebook and be sure to check out the fantastic photos posted by the library.
- Ritter Public Library in Ohio announced that, beginning on Veterans Day, all veterans and active-duty military personnel will no longer be charged late fees for overdue items. On the website, the library includes details about going fine free for veterans, along with an invitation for families to share photos to be included in an online photo gallery honoring local veterans.
- New Providence Memorial Library in New Jersey, along with Libraries of Union County Consortium, has partnered with the Overlook Medical Center and the Morristown Medical Center libraries in a program to provide resources to help improve health and health literacy in the community. Library card holders are able to check out Health Literacy Tote Bags packed with information on specific health topics. The tote bags are available at multiple libraries in the county and include information on Alzheimer’s Disease, Arthritis, Bereavement/Grief, Diabetes, Fall Injury & Prevention, Hospice/Palliative Care, Mental Health, Opioid & Substance Abuse, Heart Health, Parkinson’s Disease, and Stroke Recovery. In addition to books, the tote bags include CDs, DVDs, and links to online resources and included are complimentary handouts on each topic that patrons may keep. Some of the other libraries participating in the initiative have shared information about the tote bags in Facebook posts, including Summit Free Public Library and Wippanong Library.
- South Burnett Libraries in Australia were featured in the local newspaper for their Water Safety Story Time last week. Staff from the Kingaroy Library hosted a special free water safety story time at the Kingaroy pool where families were invited to stay after the story time session to enjoy a swim. The first 100 families through the gate also received a free water safety pack, supplied by the Kids Alive, Do The Five team. We loved the photo shared by a patron of Wise Owl, the library's mascot, with his swim goggles on!
- Whitehorse Manningham Libraries, also in Australia, introduced us to Baby Karaoke! The 30-minute session, designed for 0-18 months, is a sing-along for babies and their caregivers and families with simple songs and nursery rhymes. Be sure to check out the adorable photos and a video from a session a few months ago.