Libraries are places where we connect people to information that may be useful or interesting to them. Looking at some history, and connecting it to the materials we may have in our libraries, can be a good way to convince patrons to use and enjoy all the things we provide!

This week we are looking at November 2. Of course a lot of things have happened on this date – news and the big stories are the unusual things that are going on around us. One interesting thing that has happened today in 1873: The very first cheerleader started, at University of Minnesota!

“It was not until 1898 that University of Minnesota student Johnny Campbell directed a crowd in cheering “Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-So-Tah!”, making Campbell the very first cheerleader. November 2, 1898 is the official birth date of organized cheerleading. Soon after, the University of Minnesota organized a “yell leader” squad of six male students, who still use Campbell’s original cheer today. In 1903, the first cheerleading fraternity, Gamma Sigma, was founded. In 1923, at the University of Minnesota, women were permitted to participate in cheerleading. However, it took time for other schools to follow.”

Bring this historical fact to your library! You can do this with a variety of program and display ideas. We will help you to get started with a few ideas: look at a local college to identify all the different sports, practice some strength-building exercises, try some balancing activities – balancing yourself or other items, write an essay about something you like and are excited about, read about teamwork and working well with other people, write some poetry.

Here are a few books you might add to your collection or share with your patrons – or just enjoy yourself!

• The Cheerleading Book: The Young Athlete’s Guide, by Ali Moffat and Alana Potter
• Stunting: A Cheer Technique Book, by Glenn Kingsbury
• A Mind of Cheer: How the Philosophy of Cheerleading Can be Applied Through All Aspects of Life, by Jordan L. Brown
• Science of Strength Training: Understand the anatomy and physiology to transform your body, by Austin Current
• Strength Training for Beginners: A 12-Week Program to Get Lean and Healthy at Home, by Kyle Hunt
• 10-Minute Stretching: Simple Exercises to Build Flexibility into Your Daily Routine, by Hilery Hutchinson
• 1,500 Stretches: The Complete Guide to Flexibility and Movement, by Hollis Liebman
• The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises From Poets Who Teach, by Robin Behn
• How to Write Poetry: A Guided Journal with Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination, by Christopher Salerno and Kelsea Habecker