The Social Library, Volume 46

Jennifer Peterson /

Image courtesy Otsego District Library on Facebook Libraries are kicking off the New Year right in this week's edition of the Social Library. We learned about a mini golf fundraiser, a video tour of a library’s fitness resources, a fangirls fanclub, a robotics class for early-elementary kids, and a visit from the blood mobile. We look forward to continuing to bring you these weekly highlights of the great work libraries are sharing on Facebook. If you'd like to see your library featured in the Social Library series, please let us know via [email protected], or find us on Facebook.

  • Otsego District Library in Michigan made the news last week with the opening of their indoor mini golf course. For the second year, the library will host this month-long fundraiser, with nine fun literary-themed holes, including Olivia, Fly Guy, Peanuts, Magic Tree House, Star Wars, Candy Fairies, Sleeping Beauty, John Green, and Maze Runner. It costs $1 to play, children 2 and under are free, and all proceeds benefit the library's children's collection.
  • Roselle Public Library District in Illinois shared a wonderful video, a New Year...a new YOU, in which librarian Christy discusses the variety of fitness and diet resources available at the library to help patrons keep their New Year's resolutions.
  • Image courtesy Pittston Memorial Library on Facebook
  • Pittston Memorial Library in Pennsylvania also made the news with a superb story about their Fangirls Fan Club which Noelle Kozak, teen programming coordinator, started in October. The latest event, Upcycle Your Shoes, involved shoe collage! The library's website welcomes teens to the club with this invitation: "Do you ever feel like people have no idea what you are talking about? Bring your nerdiness and all your feels to the library and hang out with other teens who totally understand why you need a week to recover from that last episode of Teen Wolf. The Fangirls Fan Club (Fanboys welcome) meet once a month for fun fandom related activities."
  • San Antonio Public Library in Texas shared a video news story about the robotics program at their Parman Branch Library. Students from the Robotics Club at Ronald Reagan High School came to teach a Lego Robotics class to young patrons between five and seven. "Programming concepts teach problem-solving skills that can be applied to all types of fields."
  • Bedford Public Library in Texas announced the Blood Drive Bus will be visiting this week. If your library hasn't yet partnered with your local blood drive coordinator, what a simple yet meaningful opportunity to connect with community members who don't normally visit the library. Consider providing reading materials upon entry, and a library card sign-up station for new members.

Thanks to all of this week's featured libraries for such outstanding service to your communities!