Look for Donations

Every once in a while companies will offer free items, such as games, books, posters, bookmarks, etc. for libraries. ALA partners with Hasboro yearly for National Gaming Day and Hasboro donates board games to libraries that agree to participate in gaming events on this day. The following is another example of a company that offers donations to libraries. Look for offers such as these in library journals and listservs.

Fantasy-Themed Programming
Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasboro, is offering librarians and educators a free program to inspire fantasy-themed programming. "Afternoon Adventures with Dungeons & Dragons" includes the basic board game of Dungeons & Dragons (a role-playing game set in a fantasy world for ages 12 and up), instructions for hosting D&D group sessions in the library, a guide to how the program can encourage library use, reading lists, and more. To find out more go to wizards.com; request the kit by emailing libraries@wizards.com.


Works Cited
"Fantasy-Themed Programming." School Library Journal 51.(2005): 8. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.

Searching for Grants

Rural libraries looking for ways to obtain money should always consider grants. Grants are a great way to increase rural libraries chances of being selected to receive money for specific needs. The following article is an example of how one rural library was able to buy children's books with grant money they received.

Libri Foundation Helps Rural Libraries

Oregon-based nonprofit organization now accepting applications for children's books.

In an era of shrinking budgets, it shouldn't be surprising that many librarians in rural America don't have enough cash to build their collections. But help is on the way--the nonprofit Libri Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2005 Books for Children program.

Founded in 1990 by former librarian Barbara McKillip, Libri donates new hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the country. School libraries that also serve as community libraries and have some extended weekday and summer hours are also eligible. "In some cases, schools have used our grants as leverage to help get funding to keep their doors open longer," McKillip says.

The McDonald County (MO) Library is a grant recipient.

Oregon-based Libri doesn't hand out cash; its grants are in the form of free board and picture books for kids in grade six and under. The foundation matches money raised by a library on a 2-to-1 basis up to $350, so the maximum a library can receive is $1,050 worth of titles, the equivalent of about 70 to 100 books. Libraries get to choose from a well-researched list of 700 titles, including books such as the current Caldecott Honor Book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Hyperion) by Mo Willems and Farm Flu (Albert Whitman, 2001) by Teresa Bateman.

How do you know if your library qualifies? The foundation defines rural as at least 30 miles from a city with a population of more than 40,000. County libraries should have a total operating budget of less than $350,000 and serve a population of less than 15,000, and small town libraries must have a budget of less than $150,000 and serve less than 10,000. Libri has awarded grants to libraries in all but two states--Rhode Island and Delaware--and a majority of books go to places such as Iowa, Kansas, Alaska, and Nebraska. Tribal libraries in New Mexico, Arizona, and Montana have also been recipients.

Libri operates on a $250,000 annual budget, 75 percent of which comes from donations. In 2004, the organization spent close to $200,000 on books, with the remaining amount going toward operating costs. McKillip expects to dole out 300 grants in 2005, about the same as last year. To date, the foundation has donated over $2.3 million worth of new children's books to more than 2,000 libraries.

Sherri Contreras, a librarian at the Ukiah (OR) School and Public Library, has received four grants over the years, making it possible to buy about 400 books for her children's collection. "Small libraries are important for rural communities, but they are often shortchanged on funding," McKillip says.

H., S. "Libri Foundation Helps Rural Libraries." School Library Journal 51.3 (2005): 24. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 20 Oct. 2009.

Book Suggestions

If you're looking for some specific books to use for children and teen programming try some of these. All can be viewed through Google Books.



Fundamentals of Children's Services By Michael Sullivan

Public Library Youth Services: A Public Policy Approach by Holly G. Willett

Bare Bones Young Adult Services: Tips for Public Library Generalists by Renée J. Vaillancourt




Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults: The Nation's Top Programs By Mary K. Chelton

Teen Programming Resource

I've found that teens can be a tough group to work with. It's hard figuring out what type of programs they are interested in attending. RoseMary Honnold, author and Editor in Chief of VOYA Magazine, has a great website dedicated to library programming for teens and programs that will fit everyone's budget. Honnold provides programming information on numerous types of programming including summer reading, contests, teen advisory boards, crafts, gaming, etc. Take time to explore this site and I'm sure you'll find something that your library will be able to use.
I'd like hearing which program ideas you would be interested in doing at your own library. For my library I've tried the henna program with great success. For roughly $25 I was able to buy supplies for 12 teens with plenty of extra. I've also used the puzzlemaker to create word searches, crossword puzzles, etc. to have available for teens at any time. Creating puzzles based on authors or book titles is am inexpensive, fun way to promote the library to teens.