This educational program is to celebrate Pride Month. The purpose is to promote empathy and inclusivity of all patrons. The program will be age appropriate and will focus primarily on empathy and inclusivity through storytelling and activities. The main goal is to promote a safe and respectful environment in which all patrons feel welcome at the library. The program will begin with an introduction by a librarian and guidelines for the program, this will also be the time to emphasize the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment. The storyteller will read two books that are engaging, respectful, and representative of the LGBTQ+ community. The storyteller will then lead families in songs and rhymes about colors. After the program is complete families will work on a rainbow craft as well as a colorful pom pom family. Once families have completed the craft they will be encouraged to do a scavenger hunt to answer the questions on the scavenger hunt sheet. In the children's area there will be small cut outs of  the colors of the rainbow. On each poster color, will be answers to the trivia question on the scavenger hunt (famous LGBTQ+ scientist, artist, musicians, etc.). Once the scavenger hunt is completed families will receive a rainbow bookmark in celebration of Pride Month. Displayed around the room will be other titles and resources for parents to discuss the theme of the day with their children and how to promote inclusivity and respect. 

Activity Breakdown: 

• Introduction and Introduction of Theme

• Welcome Song:

• Movement Activity:

• Book 1: 

• Color Rhyme:

• Book 2:

• Song:

• Craft:

• Scavenger Hunt

Staffing: 

1 Children's Librarian

1 Library Assistant

(Supervisor on stand by to address any issues patrons may have with the theme of the program or to provide resources for families with questions).

Budget: 

$40 total for the program. Funding will supply craft activities and decor. Additional LGBTQ+ books not in the collection will be purchased from children's collection budget. 

Storytime at the park is a special weekly summer program that takes place during the summer session. It is an opportunity for the library to go beyond its walls and reach an audience that may not have the means to go to the library. The program will take place in the shaded area of the park. As an opportunity for outreach, the goal is to bring the storytime program to an audience that may not typically go to the library and promote the early literacy resources to those that may not be aware. Research has shown that outreach is important for the success of programs especially when delivered in community locations (Laughlin, 2003). The program will consist of typical storytime reading, songs, and fingerplays. The children's librarian will be available to answer questions and speak on the importance of these practices on how they lead to school success. 

Activity Breakdown:

• Greetings

• Welcome song

• Fingerplay

• Song

• Storytime

• Fingerplay 

• Song

• Bubble time

Staffing: 

Led by library assistant with the assistance of children's librarian for support. 

Budget: 

$20 budget  for June & July to purchase resupply of bubbles. 

 Join us for a special weekly summer program that takes place during the summer storytime session. Babies and young children learn through play. It is their source of information about the world. As part of the library’s mission to foster life-long learning, the play and learn program offers opportunities for young children to play while building skills for learning and literacy in all stages of life.Through the use of toys and manipulatives,  children will practice problem-solving, sorting, sharing, early literacy skills, design and testing, and collaboration. This passive program encourages caregivers and families to play and explore together, while they imagine, discover, create, and bring learning to life. This is also an opportunity for families and caregivers to ask questions to the librarian of on resources and programs available that support learning. During this time of play, slides on the benefits of play and calming music will be on a continuous loop during the hour.

Activity Breakdown:

• Welcome song

• Playtime 

• Clean Up song

• Goodbye song

Staffing: 

One children's librarian (parents will provide additional support)

Budget: 

$200 for June and July to replace manipulatives