taking the fear out of how-to fests: 20 activity ideas in 90 minutes workshop

TAKING THE FEAR OUT OF HOW-TO FESTS:

20 ACTIVITY IDEAS IN 90 MINUTES

Amy Alessioamyalessio@sbcglobal.net

Planning: Easy, right? What are adults looking for? Time saving Money saving Family activities New, fun skills Bucket list items Nice, easy, inexpensive yet thoughtful

gifts

Stretching Resources

Staffing Budget

Applications to teach Staff talents Demonstrations at tables Volunteers Sponsors Multiple days Tech Free (also known

as retro, vintage or historical)

Clean out the closets for prizes and giveaways

Collaborative with community partners

Tables staffed by agencies doing demos

Use day to feature what library already has online and in person – tours!

DO IT YOURSELF FEST: USE STAFF TALENT

(Keeping Sane)Inspiration + Reality Check

Year round committee: Rotate Chairs Online collaborative document Staff Maker Day to test things out Prizes for staff to attend other maker

days Staff notices from first appearance in

publications All desk staff on day of event are in on

fun

Marketing & Appealing to Adults

Drawings for attending a few events

Sessions run more than once,shorter sessions and longer ones

All ages doing demonstrations

Advertising not all technology oriented

Handouts in youth areas listing family activities

Mini demos leading up to event in central location, just for adults, or by seniors

Which of these can’t be checked out at a library?

Cedar Mill, OR: Mobile Production Kits 1 week checkout Technology to make or

edit podcasts and videos Record and edit media Post-Production Kits in

library http

://library.cedarmill.org/find/beyond-books/media-maker-kits/

Demos of recording family stories

Competition : Why go to the library?

Virtual Competition

Marketing?

Tweens and Teens = technology clip art, photos of products, teens making productsKids: Legos? “I Can Make It” type logosFamilies: Lists of activities, photo opportunities, surveys

Mancos Maker Day: Who would like this marketing?

Other Ideas: Not Just One Day

Different Themes per Location:SCLSNJ’s 10 branches

Family: journals, pop up cards

Preschool: mobiles, marshmallow sculptures

Art: Make and color Mandalas

Earth Week Theme

Easy and Appealing Theme

Teens like to do this too!

When It Doesn’t Work

Problem Overcoming

Over budget Weather

Tech Can Break Performers No Interest - Seeds? Run out of prizes,

handouts, bags

Seek sponsors Alternate locations, rain

days Alternate day, activity Plenty of other activities Survey ahead of time,

bonus for filling it out Don’t advertise

handouts, clean closets

2 for 1 Crafts: Fixing Up Library

Forest Park PL, IL (left)Topeka and Shawnee Cty. Library (above)

Friends of Rock Island Library

RETRO CRAFTS: KIDS AND SENIORS ENJOY

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SKILLED…

Flower Loom http://www.knitting-and.com/

small-looms/ Quilling

http://www.honeysquilling.com/quilling-101-how-to-start-paper-quilling-a-free-tutorial/

Pom Poms (think roller skates) Macrame (but no plant

hangers) http://www.redheart.com/

articles/how-to-make-6-common-macrame-knots/

Woven Barrettes http://dailyparent.com/articles/

how-to-make-a-braided-barrette/

Victorian

Tussie Mussiehttp://www.learn2grow.com/projects/floral/crafts/MakeTussieMussie.aspx

Dried Flower (or Rose) Pomanderhttp://www.save-on-crafts.com/toprostre.html

Charitable Projects

Tech: Not Just for Teenswww.instructables.com

Scheduling Social Media Into Your Busy Life

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/the-ultimate-guide-to-social-media-update-scheduling.html

17 Tools to Schedule, Analyze Social Media Contenthttp://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/87999-17-Tools-to-Schedule-Analyze-Social-Media-Content

Social Media for Readers Following authors: Amazon, FB, Twitter Fandoms + Fan art on Tumblr Library resources Communities and Challenges: Goodreads Apps: Book Crawler, Google Play Books

http://www.popsugar.com/tech/Best-Reading-Apps-38193336

Creative PrintingTemporary Tattoos

http://www.instructables.com/id/Design-and-Print-Your-Own-Temporary-Tattoos/

Not this kind… www.mashable.com

Supplies Used to Make Photo Magnets: http://www.wherethesmileshavebeen.com/make-photo-magnets-easy-inexpensive-diy/• One 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of adhesive

magnet paper• Two sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ photo paper• Printer & ink• Silhouette Cameo, scissors, Xacto

knife, or paper trimmer

Stickers with Wordhttp://

www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-

custom-stickers-with-Microsoft-Word/

Step by Step plus tutorialhttp://www.howtogeek.com/210923/the-parents-guide-to-minecraft/

• Introducing library Minecraft access• Show what library gamers have made• Simple missions to play with kids – taught by kids!

Adulting Life Hacks20 minute presentations or 30 demos

• 15 Minute clothing repairs: hems, rips, fasteners• Grocery shopping shortcuts• Resume refresh and posting online (library resources)• Scarf tyingWhat have you needed to look up in the past week?

Keeping Indoor Plants Alive

http://www.practicallyfunctional.com/how-to-seal-painted-flower-pots/

Changing Oil and Tires

• Hooking media up • Emergency kits• Shopping through

library sites• What to look for in

used cars

Also:Bike Trails

Safety townID

Self Defense : Different Ages

Ask police to come talk about scams

Travel Tips

Carry on competition

Learning phrases through

computer

Disney 101

Local Sites: Schedule, exhibits, savings

Food Fun: Microwave Magic

Healthy (including French Toast in a cup) http://greatist.com/health/surprising-healthy-microwave-recipes

Fast and Easy Snacks http://www.oola.com/cooking-tips/8873/17-crazy-fast-and-easy-microwave-snack-hacks-muglife

Baked Apple• Topping and filling

buffet• Cored ahead of timehttp://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-baked-apple-for-one-368388

RECIPE SCRAPBOOKING & EXCHANGE

Glue copies onto 8 ½ x 11 cardstock or scrapbook paper Stickers, printed recipes and quotes from cutters Page protectors for 3-ring binder Have patrons bring copies and exchange for drop in

program Ties in with holiday or international themes

No Bake Desserts

Make Your Own ParfaitInsanely Easy No-Bake Desserts https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/21-insanely-easy-no-bake-desserts/

227 Pins and Ideas! https://www.pinterest.com/shugarysweets/no-bake-desserts/

Reluctant Cooks: Cookbooks, Apps and Sites

4 Popular Apps:http://www.reviews.com/recipe-app/

Allrecipes.comFoodnetwork.com

Food.comThekitchn.comYummly.com

Small Appliance Savvy

Ask staff who has one Demonstrate Show slides of modern vs.

vintage Invite people to bring in

ones or photos and find them recipes, information (like tech help programs)

Prize for stumping staff

Holiday How-Tos:Basic Book Wreaths

http://kirstiemikles.blogspot.com/2010/10/book-wreaths.html

http://www.vintagepaintandmore.com/2013/11/book-page-wreath-tutorial.html

Gifts for Great Readers Bookmarks: quilling,

origami, stamps, Mandala coloring, woven paper

Calligraphy with quotes on bookmarks

Decorating tote bags Duct tape wallets or

iPad covers

Local Charity Review

Demonstrations of how to make things for donations

Group projects – knotting blankets Cark Making Space Handout listing contact information

+ needs

History of Traditions Culture clubs at schools, religious organizations could

help run events Crafts: Making crackers to pull, or learn new skill in

New Year drop in Sample candies Teach dance moves Family gingerbread house competition, recycled boxes Local traditions

10 Minute Ornaments

Fill glass balls with glitter, garland, shredded paper Print photos, decorate frames Paper:

http://www.smallhomelove.com/fun-easy-paper-ornaments-2/ http://carolyncreates.com/3-easy-paper-ornaments/

Amy Alessio amyalessio@sbcglobal.net

Questions? Tips?