Tag Archives: programs

Resources, Tech

Raspberry Pi activities

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
A listserve discussion was asking about different programs or activities people are doing in their libraries using Raspberry Pi devices. We are sharing them with you here:

  • We are using Pi mostly with a camera for Social Media campaigns.  Our IT department uses them to monitor wireless networks.
  • A few weeks ago we deployed Screenly open source. It’s been working great. We were displaying PowerPoint from a laptop and moved to this. PowerPoint can save as MP4, which we then load to the Pi.
    Continue reading Raspberry Pi activities →
Programs

Baking in the library!

CMLE members – this discussion was happening on a listserve, and had some great ideas you might want to try in your library! Don’t forget: if you do baking projects in your library, CMLE Headquarters is available for taste-testing!

“Like I’m guessing many of you, I was excited by the idea of a baking club posted over at SLJ here:
We are able to cook food and have it as part of our events, at least as of right now, so we’re not as restricted as many libraries are.
However, I am curious how, if you have a cooking or baking club, how do you handle:
  • Kitchen safety and knife skills?
  • Allergens and making sure the food is as safe as you can make it?
  • Permission slips — if so, examples?
  • Favorite recipes?
  • Different types of cuisine to try?
Thanks for any and all advice or tips!  I know my teens will really love this, but I’d love to hear from any other librarians who do similar programs.”

Continue reading Baking in the library! →

Communication, Resources

Library suggestions for game night

Video Game Barnstar Hires
A library person is looking for suggestions for video games to play in the library for game night. We are sharing the initial question, and the responses. Check them out to see if you can use them in your library. And if you have other suggestions, share them in the comments so we can all try new things!

“We used to have Call of Duty gaming nights to get kids in to play together on our PCs. We were using Call of Duty 1 which worked as it was not particularly over the top graphic.

This version is super old and now fails on our PCs. Do you all have any suggestions on similar group play games that aren’t intensely graphic?  These game nights happen out in the open in a room shared with all age ranges so it can’t be too too.”

Continue reading Library suggestions for game night →

General, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist

Notable Date to Celebrate: Tell a Fairy Tale Day is Feb. 26th!

You probably already know that at CMLE, we offer a service called “Notable Dates for your Noggin” which feature special holidays and birthdays of authors, as well as publications of well-known books. In an effort to help you get more from this service, we’ve decided to select one “Notable Date” each month to feature. We will include a few fun programming and activity ideas too, all for you to use!

Celebrate Tell a Fairy Tale Day!

Feb. 26th is Tell a Fairy Tale Day!

You can celebrate by reading from the classic fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen or the Brothers Grimm, but why not get a little more creative? Continue reading Notable Date to Celebrate: Tell a Fairy Tale Day is Feb. 26th! →

Communication, Resources

Free coloring books for you and your patrons!

Manatee page from coloring book

Free coloring books! What could be more fun??

You already know that many libraries are offering coloring programs, and sales of coloring books are skyrocketing. This can be a great way to relieve stress and to just enjoy some creative time working with colors and coloring. For those of us who lack artistic skill in drawing, it can be fun to color in some of the really interesting forms available! (Yes: I’m a coloring fan!!)

If you have priced out the coloring books, you know they can be pretty expensive. And if you want to have an educational or artistic experience for patrons, that would be even more expensive! Fortunately we have a huge list of all kinds of free coloring books, from all types of educational and artistic organizations!

You will find things to start a variety of different programs in your library. And if you find a few to color yourself on your lunch break – we support you in that!!