Social Library, Volume 115
Jennifer Peterson
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21 August 2018
In this latest Social Library edition, you’ll learn about a record-breaking card campaign, catapulting zucchinis, bird feeders, film discussions and pictorial knitting. We highlight innovative approaches to programming and outreach discovered on Facebook, to provide library staff with a small but mighty dose of inspiration every other week. We continue to collect these featured libraries in a spreadsheet, for easy searching, by library, state and topic. 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.
- Fort Saskatchewan Public Library in Canada was recognized in the Fort Saskatchewan Record for their record-breaking Library Card Campaign, issuing 5,000 cards in less than a year. "The surge behind the success of the free card campaign is being linked to library staff being more visible in the public. They’ve attended festivals and events in Legacy Park, set up booths at local grocery and retail stores such as Walmart and Co-op and visited hockey arenas, schools, daycares, and businesses." The library shared a snapshot of the analog version of the front page story, along with mention of the survey they've launched, to gather community input as they begin work on a new five-year strategic plan.
- Pine River Library - Bayfield's Public Library in Colorado hosted their Fourth Annual Zucchini Extravaganza last week. The local Durango Herald helped promote the event, even including a selection of zucchini recipes collected through the Pine River Garden Club, who help oversee the Pine River Library Community Garden. The library posted an always important reminder the day of the event: "Come to the library for all kinds of zucchini fun plus free lunch! Zucchini Carving, Zucchini Decorating, Zucchini Catapult (whaaaat?!)" Pine River Library - Bayfield's Public Library was featured in an early Social Library edition for their inaugural Zucchini Extravaganza. And they're featured in WebJunction's collection of Library Garden Programs.
- Niceville Public Library in Florida caught our eye with photos of the Teacup Bird Feeders made at the recent Crafts at the Library event. The "Pinterest Inspired" summer series also included a July session creating Washer Necklaces.
- King County Library System (KCLS) in Washington announced the upcoming 6-week, Becoming American: A Documentary Film and Discussion Series on Our Immigration Experience. KCLS is one of 32 sites nationwide (along with other public and college libraries, museums, cultural centers and other nonprofit organizations) participating in a project, which includes film screenings with moderated discussions and are designed to encourage an informed discussion of immigration issues against the backdrop of our country’s immigration history. In addition to a KCLS blog post, we learned more about the series on the project website, Becoming-American.org. The project, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, has made the Series Resources available for anyone to use. As the library reminds us, "If you can't make it to the screenings, you can still watch most of these films on DVD or streaming services using your library card."
- And the Boulder Public Library in Colorado is promoting programs they are hosting around the Wish You Were Here exhibit by Sam Barsky. The library shared the NPR story about Sam Barsky, a Maryland artist who has knit more than 100 sweaters of iconic landmarks around the world. Sam has become an internet sensation, sharing photographs of himself wearing his works in front of the landmarks. The library is hosting an opening reception for the exhibit, and the opportunity to meet Sam in person! And later in the week, he'll be leading a pictorial knitting workshop. We recommend you follow his Facebook page Sam Barsky - artistic knitter.