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Social Library, Volume 109

Jennifer Peterson /

Image courtesy Bristol Public Library on Facebook

Up next in our Social Library series, we're highlighting five libraries who all have been featured in the press for their innovations! From a library cat to a bike rodeo, and from free haircuts to bookish battles on Twitter, these examples are sure to inspire you and your team. If you'd like to see your library featured in a Social Library edition, please let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.

  • Bristol Public Library in Indiana has been featured in both local and national news for their newest staff member, of the feline persuasion. Page Turner came to live at the library in February, after receiving both board and staff approval, and the community has completely embraced her as a part of the library family! Carol Anderson, director of the library shared, "We have kids that used to come into the library once a week, and now they’re asking their parents to come in three or four times week, and they come in and just go straight for Page." Be sure to check out the photos from the Meet Page Storytime (we love her on the fish rug!)
  • Teen librarian Armena Ketchum, of the Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library in Illinois, was looking for new ways to draw local teens into the library. Teenagers can now come and get free haircuts at the library as part of the "Fades for Days" program, hosted the second Monday of each month. The library shared a recent Chicago Sun Times article and video on Facebook featuring Ketchum talking about the community and the very successful program.
    • Image courtesy Ralston Police Department on Facebook
  • Baright Public Library in Nebraska teamed up with multiple community partners, including the Police Department (picture at right), to host last week's Bike Rodeo. We learned from an article in the Ralston Recorder that the street was closed off for the Rodeo which included a bike riding course, food trucks and music at Tunes in Town Square. Bikes and other prizes were donated through the Chamber of Commerce, and the community was invited to stop by the library, open late on Thursday nights.
  • Winnipeg Public Library in Canada was all in during the NHL playoffs for the Library Twitter Face-offs! They challenged libraries throughout the finals with dueling spine poetry and clever hashtags, and even conceded with a thank you to Las Vegas-Clark County District Library. The librarian behind the fun shares in the CBC article that she "got the idea from the Toronto Public Library, which flamed the Kansas City Public Library on Twitter during the 2015 Major League Baseball playoffs." We hope to see more "bookish battles" in conjunction with future sports playoffs!
  • The Seattle Public Library has launched Adult Book Bingo, as part of their summer reading program. "It's that magical time of the year -- Summer Book Bingo for grown-ups in Seattle! We're partnering with Seattle Arts & Lectures again to bring you 24 terrific Bingo squares and reading challenges! Pick up your card at a local Library or download from our website www.spl.org/bookbingo." The Seattle Times is jumping on board too, with the important details and even a few book recommendations.

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