Display Ideas

Hello,

When you walk into a library, how do you feel? Do you feel calm, comforted to see so many books and know that there is much to choose from or do you feel intimidated and just grab something quickly or even turn around and walk out? I always loved to see so many books available and felt at peace when walking into a library. I was excited to see what they had in THIS library that other libraries I had been into might not have had. However, many children actually are intimidated by so many books to choose from. What can we do to help these children?

One of the best ways to help children is to make smaller displays regularly of books that they might find interesting, or displays to support your curriculum. When children see displays that are attractive, they are drawn to them and it is much easier to choose a book from a small sample than to try to find the same book on a big shelf. You can also take the time to walk around with a child and help them find the books they want or need.

As children get older, you can start teaching them to use the card catalog (if you still have one) or the computer to find the subject or title they want. Believe it or not, they don’t automatically know how to do this and need to be taught.

I am getting ready to take down a display we had of our Iditarod books we put up in early March. I’m planning three more displays to have in the library and my display case. One will be on Earth Day, one will be on Robotics, and one will be to celebrate Beverly Cleary’s 100th birthday coming on April 12. You can show a very recent clip from ‘Good Morning America’ to your students or find others to show. Check out YouTube for other ideas to promote Beverly Cleary and her books.

I hope you had a great spring vacation.

Audrey

Currently reading:
Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit
A New Song by Jan Karon (Book 5 of the Mitford series)
Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery