What We Knew

Initial conversations taught us that public libraries are key community educators and connectors, especially for under-resourced audiences.  However, libraries lack staff capacity to develop and pilot new programming.  During COVID-19, we observed that a lot of work was put into virtual programs that only a handful of people attended live.  We partnered with a local library during COVID-19 on programming for Día de los Muertos.  We wanted to extend the community engagement, activities, and learning.  The library offered ‘kits’ which included materials for activities and 4-H provided resources to engage youth and adults together in the experiential learning cycle.  This experience made us believe we could expand our pop up program kit idea.

What We Did

First, we chose activities and books for the kit.  The activities were intentionally selected to utilize DO-REFLECT-APPLY.

The physical portion of the kit included:

·   Books

·   Hands on exploration such as games, role play or art supplies

The virtual portion of the kit was stored in an album on the library’s Facebook page.  It included:

·   Themed activities.  Themes were family, food, celebrations, for example.

·   Resources to explore.  Resources provided more information about identity and culture.

The virtual kit was linked to the physical kit and giveaway books with a QR code.

Second, we practiced using the kits in individual pieces, one book and/or activity at a time.  In the months of September and October, in person events in three Rock County libraries kicked off a variety of opportunities for continued conversations, exploration in family and a public venue for sharing (i.e. Padlet, Mentimeter).  Libraries had the opportunity to receive their own kit of materials.  The materials in the kits highlighted the experiential learning model during programs which included Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de los Muertos. 

Third, we implemented formal programs together.  Since the original work, the kit was used for Día del Niño/Libros by the library independently.  In the summer the pop-up program kit is used in community storytimes coordinated with HPL Bookmobile stops.  The HPL Bookmobile serves Janesville and many other underserved areas in Rock County in the summer months.  We developed storytime activities that have a physical element we can attach the QR sticker to so youth and families always take the virtual kit home with them.