Offered once a month for school age children, the Big Builders program challenges participants to create and build using LEGOs, building blocks, and other building manipulatives. Each month children will be introduced to structural concepts and be provided with a problem that must be solved using their engineering skills and limited building supplies. Themes will vary on building a structures to withstand earthquakes, structures to support weight, or simple designs. This is a timed activity that encourages communication, team building, and creativity. Books related to the theme will be displayed in the storytheater to encourage reading and self exploration. During the challenge staff will provide encouragement and assistance as needed. They will document with pictures and prompt and interact with children by asking about their designs and solutions to the challenge. Though this is a challenge, children who want to free build will also be encouraged and will be interacted the same way as those participating in the challenge. The main purpose is to give children the opportunity to build using the manipulatives to problem solve, collaborate, and flex thier creativity. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Greeting & Guidelines

• Presentation of theme and problem

• Activity Challenge

• Clean Up

Staffing: 

A librarian or library assistant as facilitator and another library assistant or page to offer support. 

Budget: 

$1200 per year budget in order to purchase new building manipulatives. Most of the building supplies will have been purchased using previous general library programming funds. 

This monthly program allows school age children a chance to expand on their knowledge through hands on interactive activities in an informal environment. Each month participants will focus on a different themes including STEM, art, history and culture. As Goodwin mentions in their research,  literacy is much more expansive concept than it simply text and old literacy practices (2006). These themes will be introduced through a small presentation that allows children the opportunity learn something new or expand on previous concepts from school in a new and exciting way . Children will then be presented with an activity "challenge" that can vary depending on the theme. Challenges will vary from creating an independent arts and crafts modeled after a certain art medium or artist, a group science experiment, or using technology to create create something new. The program creates opportunities to expand on children's worldview by not only introducing diverse concepts, but also the people and cultures that have impacted it. By focusing on different ways to present through a multiliteracy lens that reflects on using different types of activities done within the program that promote learning in different ways. This specifically is important as Baker mentions, that a promotion of using multiple literacies help children retain information (2017). Before the end of the program participants will work together to clean up and join on the storytheater seating to recap and volunteers will be asked to share any concept they learned for the day. During the program parents will be asked to wait for children outside the programming space in order to encourage autonomy for children, and the opportunity to express themselves freely in a safe and welcoming environment. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Greeting & Guidelines

• Presentation of Theme

• Activity Challenge

• Clean Up

• Learning Recap

Staffing: 

A librarian or library assistant as facilitator and another library assistant or page to offer support. 

Budget: 

$100 per month budget for supplies for the activities. Depending on the activity challenge of the month, supplies from the general children supplies may be used and replenished through general programming budget. Money that was not used for the program can be rolled over for the next months program and be used to supplement extra costs. 

This registered online crafting program takes place over Zoom and encourages families to express their creativity and learn new skills. As Fasick and Holt introduce, library programming can be delivered in a variety of ways with the purpose of meeting the needs of the community including literacy development and reading enrichment (2013). What this means is that for programming there is no set way, instead there are multiple avenues in which an audience can be reached. As the readings from Fasick and Holt state, libraries do not just offer programming that focus on books, literacy is delivered through multiple avenues, including media in all formats (2013). Interested families will sign up via the library program registation link and pick up the prepared craft supply kit for each participating member at the children's desk a week before the program. Included in the kit will be all supplies with the exception of scissors, coloring materials, and glue. The program itself will be facilitated by a librarian over zoom and would lead the program similarly to an in person program. The facilitator would first begin with a greeting and a song, read a short story that coincides with the theme, and then lead the participants in the craft. During this time children are able to interact with the librarian via the chat feature. Once the program has concluded, the librarian with the help of an assistant will document finished crafts to help create a digital display for the month and end in a closing song. The Zoom recording (showing only the facilitator) will be available to those who were not able to make it to create the craft using their own supplies. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Greeting 

• Song

• Storybook 

• Craft

• Announcements and Goodbye Song

Staffing:

One facilitator (librarian or library assistant) and one assistant (page or library assistant) to document, offer tech support, and monitor chat. 

Budget:

 $200 monthly budget for craft supplies. Some materials such as construciton paper, die cuts, etc. will come from general programming budget funds. 

In order to encourage lifelong learning and a love of reading tweens grades 4-6 will have an opportunity monthly to discover, read, and discuss books. The library will allow tweens a safe and welcoming space to share their ideas on the chosen book and enjoy activities that align with the library’s goals of creating community and encouraging reading. The program’s purpose is to introduce different genre of books, to engage in discussion, promote other works of literature, and build community by providing an opportunity to meet and connect with other tweens. Specific activities will vary depending on the theme of the book chosen, but will always include time for discussion, trivia, and snacks. Book discussions will be led by the librarian and library assistant with prewritten question to encourage deeper thinking on the books theme, but also encouraging open dialogue as much as possible. As Fasick and Holt (2013) these discussions offer opportunities for social and language development. Before closing, librarians will promote read alike titles as well as future upcoming programs. To provide as much accessibility to the materials as possible, the library will provide a copy of the book title to keep. In order to keep the number of participants at a reasonable size, this will be a registered program that can be reserved at least 3 weeks before the next book club. Books for the club will be distributed at the children's desk for registered patrons 3 weeks before the start of the next club meeting. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Greetings & Guidelines

• Book Discussion

• Trivia

• Activities

• Closing and promotion of future activities. 

Staffing: 

One librarian will facilitate the program and one library assistant will aid with set up, programming, and clean up.

Budget: 

$160 of Tween Programming budget to pay for books and activities. Friends of the Library will also be contacted to cover cost of books and relocate funds for more activities within the program. 

*Example of detailed program

This sensory storytime is held twice a month and is designed to meet the special needs of children of all abilities. The program will take place prior regular open hours across the entire children's space. As Baker points out it is important to understand the community need and the organizations goals (2017). This is particularly important as it helps reflect the developmental considerations and audience we will be working with. Though smaller than other program sizes, it has been made this way to benefit participants in order to provide the most accommodating space for children and caregivers to feel comfortable and safe. This will be done by providing soft and quiet music, dimmed lighting, and large space for children to familiarize themselves with the environment. Baker points out the importance of addressing needs such as loud noises, space, and lighting (2017). Though these seem like minor adjustments, these may affect patrons who may be sensitive to overstimulation from these types of things that make it difficult to participate in other programmingAdditionally special seating options and accessible manipulatives will be ready to use for children to enjoy freely. The activities for the program will include an interactive storyreading, songs, movement, and sensory activities. The program will also allow families to tour the library space freely and enjoy the benefits of using library resources and materials in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Literacy tips will be made available for families via powerpoint to encourage the caregivers to learn and play at their child's pace. The purpose of the program is to build community and support for families and allow the library to feel like a welcoming space for their children. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Greeting 

• Movement Song

• Storybook

• Freeplay and Sensory Activities

• Clean up and goodbye song

Staffing: 

One librarian will facilitate the program and one library assistant will aid with set up, programming, and clean up.

Budget: 

$50 monthly budget for supplies. Manipulatives can be used from other programs with some of the budget being used to replace broken or worn toys. 

Once a month community members such as firemen, policemen, doctors, etc. will come to the library to read to families. Families will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the profession. As Baker states, programs intentions should be to connect children to literacy and learning (2017). Prior to the event library staff will select an age appropriate book and send a copy to the guest community member. At the program, the librarian will lead families in an opening song and introduce the community members. The guest community member will introduce themselves and the work they do, and will begin reading the selected book. After the reading the guest will then provide a presentation or demonstration on the work they do and allow families to ask questions. The last 10-15 minutes will be dedicated to working on a simple craft or coloring sheet related to the profession and as an opportunity for families to take pictures or ask more questions to the community member. The purpose of this program is to bring more community involvement to the library as well as allow an opportunity for members of the public to meet the people who help serve them in the community. Whats more is that children will have the opportunity to see a diverse group of people reading stories. The program will build a positive relationship between the community and provide education on safety and career exploration. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Introduction and Welcome Song

• Brief Introduction by Community Member

• Storybook Reading

• Short Presentation or Demonstration

• Questions

• Craft & Picture Opportunity

• Goodbye Song

Staffing: 

The program will be lead by a librarian with the help of a library assistant or page. The community member will present most of the program. The librarian will have reached out at least two months ahead in order to confirm participation in the program. 

Budget: 

$25 budget for crafts and supplies. Books related to career theme will be purchased from collection development budget or will have been already in the collection. 

Within the community being served there is a large Spanish speaking population.This program will feature books, songs and rhymes in English and Spanish. The focus is provide a space for the  minority Spanish speaking population in the community an opportunity to gain early childhood literacy practices. As research has shown, minority children, are most at risk of entering school with less prior knowledge in literacy prerequisites (Maclean, 2008). Though the target audience is the spanish speaking population, the programs opportunties for any family within the community to learn basic Spanish. As research has shown  language is gained at an earlier age, even studies showing a decline in capacity around 5-6 (Berk, 2013). This is a critical age for children to be introduced to other languages. This is also an opportunity for families to develop cultural compentency. Culturally responsive programs that focus on how people live, think and create meaning. As Naidoo states food, festivals, folklore, fashion, are great ways to expose and teach families about the people in the community and help create empathy and prevent stereotypes (2014). The article aslo suggests that culturally competent library programs should introduce diverse cultures through quality children's materials (print and digital) that are content rich. This specific representation helps children develop a positive identity and make cultural connections (Naidoo, 2014). The books and activities chosen will represent and reflect on the diversity of all the Spanish speaking countries as well as indigenous groups that recide in them. Similar to other programs offered, a strong emphasis will be on drawing practices that can help families make connections to the importance of early literacy practice, such as, alphabetical awareness and vocabulary building. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Greeting 

• Fingerplay

• Storybook 1

• Song

• Storybook 2

• Craft

• Clean up and goodbye song

Staffing: 

A bilingual storyteller (librarian or library assistant) and a page to assist.

Budget: 

$50 monthly budget for crafts and supplies. Manipulatives can be used from other programs with some of the budget being used to replace broken or worn toys. Translated early literacy resources will come from the general budget utilizing staff help to translate. Collection development budget will be used to purchase books that are by Latino/Hispanic authors or that are bilingual.