~Scroll down to see One-Offs from 2017 and 2018~
2019
In 2019, I have decided to focus less on one-time programs and more on making my weekly and monthly recurring programs excellent. This is in an effort to lighten my workload while providing patrons with dependable programming. The Young Adult Action Society program for ages 14-24 still affords me the opportunity to plan "one-offs" by planning each week based on a different theme. For my most recent programs, see the Storytimes and YAAS! tabs.
YAAS! Young Adult Action Society
Weekly program for teens and emerging adults age 14-24. Click the link for more info.
Teen Scavenger Hunt
To celebrate the end of summer and all the hard work our volunteers put in during the Summer Reading Program, we have a party in late July AFTER HOURS! This year we used a scavenger hunt app for a semi-orderly romp through the empty stacks.
Music Lab for Kids
Every month after Learn and Grow with Rhythm and Flow, we make a musical instrument from household items, and then do a few exercises with that instrument that the kids are encouraged to practice at home. The hands-on craft element of this program helps develop fine motor skills, and learning to sing and chant while playing an instrument helps the kiddos learn to multi-task and wakes up the language center of their developing brains!
January 2019: Textured Noisemakers
February 2019: Balloon/Cup Shaker Drums
March 2019: Wax Paper Kazoo
April 2019: Easter Egg Shakers
August 2019: Musical Instrument Free Play
Theater Games for Teens
This is a monthly program I used to run for young adults where they can come to loosen up and have fun with their friends and new people. We usually played four or five games per session, all based on classic improv games that help the kids learn to think on their feet and build confidence and public speaking skills. The program ran once a month from August 2018 to March 2019, and was finally discontinued due to low attendance. However, please enjoy these videos of me and a few teens playing one of my favorite improv games, King Monkey, and doing some scene work.
November 2018: King Monkey is similar to King Lizard, but see if you can figure out the rules by watching us before you click that link.
December 2018
Hanukkah Storytime
We hosted a guest presenter who teaches Hebrew school and grew up celebrating Hanukkah. She read Macabee: The Story of Hanukkah by Tilda Balsley and lead our participants in decorating Hanukkah cards for soldiers in Israel, to be sent to Lone Soldiers through the Israel Forever Foundation.
No Snow, Snow Day
A winter celebration for ages 0-5 and their grownups, including Sensory Snow and crafting cold-weather friends out of shapes.
November 2018
Get Twisty!
We combine National Tongue Twister Day with the game Twister for a totally twisty program for school-age kiddos.
What's Up on Mars?
Tanya of Mars returned to the library to update our patrons about activity on Mars for Red Planet Day, the anniversary of the first time we saw photos of Mars in 1964.
October 2018
Welcome, Fall! Leaf Art
Three projects come together for a fun Fall drop-in art program.
Halloween Boo
My library's annual Halloween celebration!
September 2018
Grandparents Day Celebration
Our second annual celebration of Grandparents Day! This year we added a volunteer who makes beautiful cards as her hobby.
Kids Decorate the Library
What do you get when you lay out a bunch of craft supplies and invite children to decorate their surroundings? A bunch of color and more creativity than most adults could muster.
Celebrate Self-Improvement Month
For National Self-Improvement Month, we had three activity stations. Each focused on a different area that could potentially be improved: mind, body, and creativity.
July 2018
Education: What to Expect
In the first session, high school juniors and seniors answer anonymous questions from incoming freshmen about what to expect in the first few days of high school. In the second session, older young adults who have experience with trade school, community college, and entering the work force directly after high school answer questions from younger peers.
June 2018
Build Your Own Musical Instrument
We took household items and turned them into musical instruments. Following a wonderful string trio performance that encouraged kids to develop an interest in music and playing instruments, we used household items to make our own.
Bowling for Kids
Once a year the library borrows lanes, balls, and pins from a local bowling alley and opens up for our patrons to bowl the perfect strike!
May 2018
All About Teen Volunteers
I didn't host many special programs in May, because this year it was my job to interview, hire, train, and schedule 30 teen volunteers in preparation for our Summer Reading Program!
April 2018
National Pet Day Celebration
I teamed up with our city's Animal Control department for an evening of pet education and a meet-and-greet with three baby kittens! The kids also crafted fleece dog toys to donate to homeless pets.
March 2018
All About Space with Tanya of Mars
Research Scientist Tanya Harrison from ASU visited our library to talk about women in space for Women's History Month, and give us an overview of her work with the Mars Rover.
February 2018
Mad Science: The Science of Sound
Mad Science is a one-hour, after school program we do monthly. We try to cover one scientific element each time, plus the basics of the scientific method. It's mostly elementary school kids who come to this program, and they love getting messy. This program is best when the experiments include gross chemical reactions, foam, slime, candy, and other stuff their parents might not let them do at home!
Bird Feeder Challenge
In celebration of National Bird Feeding Month, kids age 5-10 exercise their architectural and creative skills, making a custom bird feeder they think would be most appealing to birds that visit their yards.
Harry Potter Book Night (I'm Famous Again)
The world's most popular theme takes over our entire library for a night. Plus, I appeared on a local morning show to promote the program!
Valentine's Day Party
Directly following Toddler Time, we invited our storytime families and other library patrons to have treats, make valentines, and play games all themed off the day of love.
January 2018
HO Model Train Exhibit (I'm Famous)
The Grand Canyon State Model Railroaders share their amazing handmade model train exhibit with our library, setting up for two weeks and bringing in hundreds of community members. I also got to interview on the local news to tell people about it!
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
My wonderful programming partner Sara conceived the idea for this program, planned the whole thing, and let me help bring her idea to life. Click the link for some adorable pictures of stuffed animals enjoying everything our library has to offer.
Make a 2017 Time Capsule
This maker program helps kids of all ages make a time capsule of 2017, that they can choose to open any time after 2018 is over. It will help them look back on their previous thoughts and remember the good times of 2017, while also learning a fun and crafty way to recycle plastic 2 liter bottles.
December 2017
"I Am Jazz" Public Reading
A nod to the nationwide public readings supported by the Human Rights Council every year on December 7th, this event educates children on what it means to be transgender in a simple and gentle way.
East Valley Children's Theater Presents "The Tortoise and Mrs. Claus"
A local children's theater comes to our library to perform their original play "The Tortoise and Mrs. Claus" for a large audience of children and adults!
Gingerbread Geometry
Kids gather to learn about length, width, perimeter, and volume of shapes while they make and decorate tasty "gingerbread" houses out of graham crackers and frosting.
Polar Express Movie Party/Meet Santa
We watch a holiday classic, and then greet a very special guest!
November 2017
Mad Science: Cranberry Chemistry and Architecture
Mad Science is a one-hour, after school program we do monthly. We try to cover one scientific element each time, plus the basics of the scientific method. It's mostly elementary school kids who come to this program, and they love getting messy. This program is best when the experiments include gross chemical reactions, foam, slime, candy, and other stuff their parents might not let them do at home!
Write Your Own Picture or Comic Book
Tweens ages 8-12 registered ahead of time for this six week program where we learn what makes up a plot, setting, and cast of characters, then wrote our own books.
Click here to read about week one
Click here to read about week two
Click here to read about week three
Click here to read about week four
Kids-Giving Day
This event for all ages is a way to give back to our community. We collected donations of baby wipes for Child Crisis Arizona, and encouraged kids to create cards for Operation Gratitude and activity bags for Phoenix Children's Hospital.
October 2017
Mad Science: Halloween Candy Float/Sink and Dissolving Pumpkins
Mad Science is a one-hour, after school program we do monthly. We try to cover one scientific element each time, plus the basics of the scientific method. It's mostly elementary school kids who come to this program, and they love getting messy. This program is best when the experiments include gross chemical reactions, foam, slime, candy, and other stuff their parents might not let them do at home!
Spooky Singalong
We host a karaoke-style singalong in the Halloween spirit! Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes and dance with us to Halloween songs made just for toddlers and preschoolers.
Pumpkin Mosaic Art
A simple craft for kids and their grownups where we mix and customize paint colors, cut out shapes, and glue them to a construction paper pumpkin for unique and spooky art.
September 2017
Make a Grandparents Day Card
Children, tweens, teens, and adults drop in to make a Grandparent's Day card.
Make a Sensory Jar
Children with a favorite grownup learn how to make a mini version of sensory or glitter jars. They are also sent home with information about how to make a full size one at home, and what brain development and motor skills are exercised by making and playing with the jars.
Afternoon of Disguise
In an idea lovingly stolen from Jbrary, kids and adults alike gather to make their own costumes and then take pictures in our makeshift photo booth.
July 2017
Book Notes
Teens and tweens write uplifting notes to be placed in Young Adult books with tough themes.
Play Book BINGO Live!
Patrons of all ages gather to play several literary-theme rounds of BINGO.
January 2019: Textured Noisemakers
February 2019: Balloon/Cup Shaker Drums
March 2019: Wax Paper Kazoo
April 2019: Easter Egg Shakers
August 2019: Musical Instrument Free Play
Theater Games for Teens
This is a monthly program I used to run for young adults where they can come to loosen up and have fun with their friends and new people. We usually played four or five games per session, all based on classic improv games that help the kids learn to think on their feet and build confidence and public speaking skills. The program ran once a month from August 2018 to March 2019, and was finally discontinued due to low attendance. However, please enjoy these videos of me and a few teens playing one of my favorite improv games, King Monkey, and doing some scene work.
November 2018: King Monkey is similar to King Lizard, but see if you can figure out the rules by watching us before you click that link.
February 2019: We partnered up and worked on blocking, projecting, and facing the audience in these short scenes.
Hanukkah Storytime
We hosted a guest presenter who teaches Hebrew school and grew up celebrating Hanukkah. She read Macabee: The Story of Hanukkah by Tilda Balsley and lead our participants in decorating Hanukkah cards for soldiers in Israel, to be sent to Lone Soldiers through the Israel Forever Foundation.
No Snow, Snow Day
A winter celebration for ages 0-5 and their grownups, including Sensory Snow and crafting cold-weather friends out of shapes.
November 2018
Get Twisty!
We combine National Tongue Twister Day with the game Twister for a totally twisty program for school-age kiddos.
What's Up on Mars?
Tanya of Mars returned to the library to update our patrons about activity on Mars for Red Planet Day, the anniversary of the first time we saw photos of Mars in 1964.
October 2018
Welcome, Fall! Leaf Art
Three projects come together for a fun Fall drop-in art program.
Halloween Boo
My library's annual Halloween celebration!
September 2018
Grandparents Day Celebration
Our second annual celebration of Grandparents Day! This year we added a volunteer who makes beautiful cards as her hobby.
Kids Decorate the Library
What do you get when you lay out a bunch of craft supplies and invite children to decorate their surroundings? A bunch of color and more creativity than most adults could muster.
Celebrate Self-Improvement Month
For National Self-Improvement Month, we had three activity stations. Each focused on a different area that could potentially be improved: mind, body, and creativity.
July 2018
Education: What to Expect
In the first session, high school juniors and seniors answer anonymous questions from incoming freshmen about what to expect in the first few days of high school. In the second session, older young adults who have experience with trade school, community college, and entering the work force directly after high school answer questions from younger peers.
June 2018
Build Your Own Musical Instrument
We took household items and turned them into musical instruments. Following a wonderful string trio performance that encouraged kids to develop an interest in music and playing instruments, we used household items to make our own.
Bowling for Kids
Once a year the library borrows lanes, balls, and pins from a local bowling alley and opens up for our patrons to bowl the perfect strike!
May 2018
All About Teen Volunteers
I didn't host many special programs in May, because this year it was my job to interview, hire, train, and schedule 30 teen volunteers in preparation for our Summer Reading Program!
April 2018
National Pet Day Celebration
I teamed up with our city's Animal Control department for an evening of pet education and a meet-and-greet with three baby kittens! The kids also crafted fleece dog toys to donate to homeless pets.
March 2018
All About Space with Tanya of Mars
Research Scientist Tanya Harrison from ASU visited our library to talk about women in space for Women's History Month, and give us an overview of her work with the Mars Rover.
February 2018
Mad Science: The Science of Sound
Mad Science is a one-hour, after school program we do monthly. We try to cover one scientific element each time, plus the basics of the scientific method. It's mostly elementary school kids who come to this program, and they love getting messy. This program is best when the experiments include gross chemical reactions, foam, slime, candy, and other stuff their parents might not let them do at home!
Bird Feeder Challenge
In celebration of National Bird Feeding Month, kids age 5-10 exercise their architectural and creative skills, making a custom bird feeder they think would be most appealing to birds that visit their yards.
Harry Potter Book Night (I'm Famous Again)
The world's most popular theme takes over our entire library for a night. Plus, I appeared on a local morning show to promote the program!
Valentine's Day Party
Directly following Toddler Time, we invited our storytime families and other library patrons to have treats, make valentines, and play games all themed off the day of love.
January 2018
HO Model Train Exhibit (I'm Famous)
The Grand Canyon State Model Railroaders share their amazing handmade model train exhibit with our library, setting up for two weeks and bringing in hundreds of community members. I also got to interview on the local news to tell people about it!
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
My wonderful programming partner Sara conceived the idea for this program, planned the whole thing, and let me help bring her idea to life. Click the link for some adorable pictures of stuffed animals enjoying everything our library has to offer.
Make a 2017 Time Capsule
This maker program helps kids of all ages make a time capsule of 2017, that they can choose to open any time after 2018 is over. It will help them look back on their previous thoughts and remember the good times of 2017, while also learning a fun and crafty way to recycle plastic 2 liter bottles.
December 2017
"I Am Jazz" Public Reading
A nod to the nationwide public readings supported by the Human Rights Council every year on December 7th, this event educates children on what it means to be transgender in a simple and gentle way.
East Valley Children's Theater Presents "The Tortoise and Mrs. Claus"
A local children's theater comes to our library to perform their original play "The Tortoise and Mrs. Claus" for a large audience of children and adults!
Gingerbread Geometry
Kids gather to learn about length, width, perimeter, and volume of shapes while they make and decorate tasty "gingerbread" houses out of graham crackers and frosting.
Polar Express Movie Party/Meet Santa
We watch a holiday classic, and then greet a very special guest!
November 2017
Mad Science: Cranberry Chemistry and Architecture
Mad Science is a one-hour, after school program we do monthly. We try to cover one scientific element each time, plus the basics of the scientific method. It's mostly elementary school kids who come to this program, and they love getting messy. This program is best when the experiments include gross chemical reactions, foam, slime, candy, and other stuff their parents might not let them do at home!
Write Your Own Picture or Comic Book
Tweens ages 8-12 registered ahead of time for this six week program where we learn what makes up a plot, setting, and cast of characters, then wrote our own books.
Click here to read about week one
Click here to read about week two
Click here to read about week three
Click here to read about week four
Kids-Giving Day
This event for all ages is a way to give back to our community. We collected donations of baby wipes for Child Crisis Arizona, and encouraged kids to create cards for Operation Gratitude and activity bags for Phoenix Children's Hospital.
October 2017
Mad Science: Halloween Candy Float/Sink and Dissolving Pumpkins
Mad Science is a one-hour, after school program we do monthly. We try to cover one scientific element each time, plus the basics of the scientific method. It's mostly elementary school kids who come to this program, and they love getting messy. This program is best when the experiments include gross chemical reactions, foam, slime, candy, and other stuff their parents might not let them do at home!
Spooky Singalong
We host a karaoke-style singalong in the Halloween spirit! Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes and dance with us to Halloween songs made just for toddlers and preschoolers.
Pumpkin Mosaic Art
A simple craft for kids and their grownups where we mix and customize paint colors, cut out shapes, and glue them to a construction paper pumpkin for unique and spooky art.
Make a Grandparents Day Card
Children, tweens, teens, and adults drop in to make a Grandparent's Day card.
Make a Sensory Jar
Children with a favorite grownup learn how to make a mini version of sensory or glitter jars. They are also sent home with information about how to make a full size one at home, and what brain development and motor skills are exercised by making and playing with the jars.
Afternoon of Disguise
In an idea lovingly stolen from Jbrary, kids and adults alike gather to make their own costumes and then take pictures in our makeshift photo booth.
July 2017
Book Notes
Teens and tweens write uplifting notes to be placed in Young Adult books with tough themes.
Play Book BINGO Live!
Patrons of all ages gather to play several literary-theme rounds of BINGO.
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