Regional Public Library Systems were able to successfully secure funding from the MN Legislature for the 2020/21 biennium. Libraries will receive $2.55 million per year, which is a slight increase over the previous $2.25 million during the 2018/19 biennium.
Category: Legacy
2018 Minnesota Book Awards Finalists
The finalists for the 30th anniversary of the Minnesota Book Awards were chosen on Saturday, January 27, by 27 judges from around the state – writers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and others from the literary community. The winners will be announced at the Book Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 21. Tickets for the event go on sale February 5.
For a complete list of finalists, visit:
https://thefriends.org/minnesota-book-awards/minnesota-book-awards-winners/
International Falls Library Adds Beautiful Artwork to Outdoor Entrance
Stop by and enjoy the beautiful new sculptures of Winter and Autumn at the International Falls Public Library completed by Eric “Erickson” Kulig and dedicated July, 2017.
This is one of the many Legacy programs that benefits our patrons in the Arrowhead Library System. 
Announcing MNBA Finalists
On Saturday, January 28, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library announced the finalists in nine categories for the 29th Annual Minnesota Book Awards. Reviewed and chosen by 27 judges from around the state – writers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and others from the literary community – the categories are:
- Children’s Literature
- General Nonfiction
- Genre Fiction
- Memoir & Creative Nonfiction
- Middle Grade Literature (new this year)
- Minnesota Nonfiction
- Novel & Short Story
- Poetry
- Young Adult Literature
Eligibility and process — Books created by writers, illustrators or book artists who are Minnesotans are eligible for Minnesota Book Awards. The Awards are given each year for books published in the previous year. For instance, the this selection of finalists were 2016 for consideration in 2017.
The Book Awards process begins with nominations, which are received from authors, publishers and others from throughout the state. From the nominated works, panels of preliminary round judges choose four finalists. Award winners are then selected by different, final round, judging panels. Of note this year, 15 of the titles were published by Minnesota presses.
The 29th Annual Minnesota Book Awards ceremony will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Make early reservations.
New Season of Club Book
Club Book is proud to announce the new lineup for the Winter/Spring 2017 Season. Club Book brings best-selling and award-winning national and regional authors to libraries throughout the seven-county Twin Cities region. This MELSA Library Legacy program is coordinated by Library Strategies and funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. All events are free and open to the public!
Podcasts of this season’s discussions will be available a few days after each event at www.clubbook.org and on iTunes. Past seasons’ podcasts are available for streaming and download, so check them out!
ECRL photo makes MN Reflections calendar
This photo of the old bookmobile in Stanchfield was selected as a cover shot for the MN Reflections 2017 calendar.
In May 1960, a photograph was taken of people standing in line for the East Central Regional Library bookmobile in Stanchfield. More than 50 years later, that image and many more like it live on thanks to a unique project in Minnesota.
East Central Regional Library (ECRL) last year announced its first digital collection of historical images in Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections, courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America’s Public Library Partnerships Project. ECRL’s contribution to the Reflections project provides insight into the oldest existing multi-county regional public library system in Minnesota.
The ECRL collection includes images used in ECRL’s history book, East Central Regional Library: Fifty Years of Connections, 1959-2009, by Marilyn McGriff. One photograph, the one showing the ECRL bookmobile line at Stanchfield, was even selected as a cover shot for the Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections 2017 calendar. Download your copy here.
Library Legacy Summary
Ready to go to press!
Celebrating Arts & Culture: Minnesota Regional Public Library Systems Legacy Amendment Highlights
CRPLSA has produced a visually compelling written summary of public programs and activities funded by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Celebrating Arts and Culture will provide a succinct report highlighting the wide variety of Legacy programming that has occurred in libraries throughout the state.
Celebrating Arts & Culture briefly describes public art projects, live performances, literary programs, art making, and historical and cultural exploration. The Library Legacy story is told through a montage of photographs and personal quotes. The summary graphical demonstrates the breadth of programming funded with Legacy dollars and the unique ability of libraries to provide meaningful cultural events to people in all corners of the state regardless of community size.
Celebrating Arts & Culture: Minnesota Regional Public Library Systems Legacy Amendment Highlights
A CRPLSA sponsored Library Legacy activity made possible with money from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota.
Winter Bees Wins an Emmy!
Congratulations on the Emmy win for Winter Bees: And Other Poems of the Cold about the making of a Minnesota Book Award-winning children’s book. This Beyond the Book television special was a production by TPT in partnership with The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and CRPLSA.
Hullabaloos: History Day Research Days
History Day Hullabaloos are research open houses held at a variety of metro librariess as well as libraries in Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Cloud. Check the the 2016-2017 Hullabaloo schedule for a complete listing of locations, dates, and times
During the Hullabaloo students will:
- Conduct primary and secondary research with the guidance of library staff
- Get one-on-one help from History Day staff and mentor
- Attend a mini-lesson on a range of topics.
Each year, a broad theme is selected that will help students direct their research to show a connection between the theme and their topics. The 2017 theme, Taking a Stand in History, will allow students to research topics on all levels from local history to ancient history.
Find National History Day MN on Facebook and 0n Instagram
ECRL Starwatch Party
Get to know the constellations like The Big Bear, Cygnus the Swan, Pegasus the Winged Horse, Aquila the Eagle and many more at a Minnesota Starwatch Party with meteorologist Mike Lynch sponsored by East Central Regional Library (ECRL). The program will start with an indoor orientation followed by quality time outside under the heavens. Mike will bring a fleet of telescopes, including two of the biggest mobile telescopes in Minnesota for close up views of planets, star clusters, nebulae, and other wonders in late summer and early autumn skies. He’ll also bring a video-telescope system for ultra-deep view of galaxies and more! This program lasts about two hours and is recommended for ages 6 and up.
The ECRL Starwatch schedule includes:
North Branch Area Library – Tuesday, September 20, 7:30 pm
Rush City Public Library – Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 pm
Mora Public Library – Tuesday, October 18, 6:30 pm
Milaca Community Library – Thursday, October 20, 6:30 pm
Aitkin Public Library – Monday, October 24, 6:30 pm
MNBA Season Opens Soon
It’s almost here – the 29th Annual Minnesota Book Awards season begins on August 1. Book submissions, special award nominations, and judge applications will open.
Visit the MNBA website for all the details.
“Ready Go” Brings Interactive Art to Pioneerland
Pioneerland Library System (PLS) is proud to offer Ready Go to PLS libraries this summer. Working with Springboard for the Arts, Ready Go offers an exciting art events that connect people to artist-designed, mobile “tools” that pique curiosity. Peter Haakon Thompson, Community Development Coordinator at Springboard for the Arts, states, “Ready Go tools bring art and artists out into the world and use an expanded idea of how art can help facilitate conversation and participation.”
The Ready Go projects will include:
- One Another – a mobile drawing station
- Streetcorner Letterpress – printing personal postcards from a variety of papers, images, and colors
- Mobile Sign Shop – carve and paint cabin-like directional signs
- SPARKit – interactive family crafts activities
Ready Go informational brochure
PLS locations participating in the Ready Go art tour in the coming months include: Appleton, Benson, Bird Island, Canby, Dassel, Dawson, Fairfax, Glencoe, Granite Falls, Hector, Hutchinson, Kerkhoven, Lake Lillian, Litchfield, Montevideo, New London, Ortonville, Spicer, and Willmar.
PLS Executive Director, Laurie Ortega, says, “Ready Go is coming to Pioneerland as part of a regional Legacy program that provides access to art for those living in outstate Minnesota. We’re pleased to bring these creative projects to our libraries as a means to strengthen relationships in our communities, find new ways of interacting, and have fun experiencing art together. We hope you will participate in one of these dynamic art events in your local community.”
Ten Pigs Wrap Up in SELCO
Today was the final day of Once Upon a Reader trunk shows in SELCO. Author/illustrator Derek Anderson traveled the region, reading, singing and playing with children in an energetic show based around his book, Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure.
Library staff throughout the region did a great job promoting the shows and, after six days and 12 trunk shows in 11 communities, Derek said he thoroughly enjoyed his time in southeastern Minnesota.
Hundreds of children, caregivers and parents who participated in the high-energy trunk shows agreed. Aimed at pre-K children and their families, this statewide one-book program promotes Minnesota children’s literature and encourages families to Talk, Sing, Read, Write and Play together – five practices critical to early literacy skills development.
Additional resources for libraries and parents are free and downloadable at www.onceuponareader.org .
A CRPLSA sponsored Library Legacy activity with funds from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Ten Pigs in the News
Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure, author and illustrator, Derek Anderson and the Dodge Center Public Library made the morning news in southeastern Minnesota.
SELCO’s MNBA Publicity
SELCO created personalized press kits for nine Minnesota Book Award finalists and winners to help promote recent author visits. The press materials always include a general press release, a sample Facebook post, and a tweet for the library’s Twitter account. Several have expanded biographical information when it was readily available.
Feel free to use this Library Legacy publicity if an author visits your community!
- Brenda Child
- Tricia Cornell
- Allen Eskens
- Michael Hall
- Nicole Helget
- Julie Klassen
- Nancy Koester
- Larry Millet
- Laura Purdie Salas
MELSA wraps up a successful Club Book
As MELSA wraps up a successful Winter/Spring 2016 Club Book season, sincere thanks to the incredible authors who visited the Twin Cities, as well as the wonderful libraries who hosted events. The guest authors shared inspiring stories about their work, writing process, and journey to become bestselling and award-winning writers. MELSA hopes everyone enjoyed these Club Book events and encourage you to take a listen to the more than forty free podcasts that have been created over the past four seasons.
Speakers include Louise Penny, JA Jance, Elizabeth Berg, Amy Thielen, Dave Zirin, Lev Grossman, J. Courtney Sullivan, Amanda Coplin, Sue Miller, Jon Ronson, Ron Rash, Sara Paretsky, Mitchel Zuckoff, and Nikki Giovanni to name just a few.
MELSA will be announce the next season of authors in August, so stay tuned!
Successful Teen Lit Con 2016
Teen Lit Con 2016: A Huge Success With an endorsement as the “best event of its kind in the US” from none other than National Book Award Winner Neal Shusterman, Teen Lit Con 2016 closed another chapter on this widely anticipated annual event.
More than 1,000 teens & other YA readers descended on Sibley High School for a day of author talks, breakout sessions, and literary fun. Readers came from as far away as Moorhead, Marshall, and Cedar Rapids, as all parts of the MELSA region. 12 Twin Cities schools received transportation awards to bring students to the event.
The national authors Neal Shusterman, Faith Erin Hicks, Jason Reynolds, and Leigh Bardugo filled the Sibley HS auditorium for their keynotes. Local authors drew enthusiastic readers at their panels. Other breakout sessions on writing & publishing also were packed.
A shout out to the more than 70 Ambassadors from all types of libraries, schools, and ”just people who like books” who helped make this Legacy-funded event a success. Partners Sibley High Sschool and ISD 197 (West St. Paul-Mendoota Heights-Eagen) were also vital to making it happen.
Ambassador Susan Bernstein, Carver County Library, was a champion Tweeter before, during, and after the event. You can see the fun by browsing the Twitter hashtag #teenlitcon for lots of pictures & comments.
As the happy readers streamed out their biggest question was, “When is Teen Lit Con 2017?”
News posting from Ann Walker-Smalley, Metronet
10 Pigs visits ALS
The traveling trunk show featuring author / illustrator, Derek Anderson and Ten Pigs is off to a rollicking good time in the Arrowhead Library System (ALS).
Squeals abounded at the Falls Elementary School in International Falls and the Duluth Public Library. Complete with props and laughter, children and parents can share the joy of reading in this CRPLSA sponsored statewide initiative.
MNBA 2016 Pix & Vid
Check out 2016 Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony photos and video
MNBA Winners 2016
- Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall (Children’s Literature)
- No House to Call My Home: Love, Family and Other Transgressions by Ryan Berg (Nonfiction)
- The Grave Soul by Ellen Hart (Genre Fiction)
- Water and What We Know: Following the Roots of a Northern Life by Karen Sabine (Memoir & Creative Nonfiction)
- Minnesota Modern: Architecture and Life at Midcentury by Larry Millett (Minnesota)
- There’s Something I Want You to Do by Charles Baxter (Novel & Short Story)
- Beautiful Wall by Ray Gonzalez (Poetry)
- See No Color by Shannon Gibney (Young People’s Literature)
Each April, authors, publishers and book-lovers celebrate the best of local literature at the Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony. Managed by The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, with financial assistance from CRPLSA, this year’s celebration returned to the beautiful and historic Union Depot in Lowertown, Saint Paul. Books, autographs, refreshments, live music, and the announcement of the award winners all made an unforgettable evening!
New MELSA Legacy Coordinator
MELSA has selected Andrea McKennan as the new Public Information Specialist. Her duties will overlap those previously assigned to Melinda Ludwiczak, the former MELSA Project Manager who retired April 15. Andrea will be responsible for Library Legacy program coordination and staff liaison responsibilities to the Job & Small Business and the e-Government Task Forces.
End of an era …
From Maren Levad, Museum Access Specialist at the Minnesota Historical Society and long-time Library Legacy planning partner …
Dear Library Partners,
As we close out our sixth year of partnership together, I wanted to express my deepest thanks for all of the work you have done for the people of Minnesota. When we first met with library leadership in 2009, this partnership was a germ of an idea about providing high-quality, educational programming to library audiences around the state. That idea and this partnership have since taken on many forms, from library kits and musical concerts to audience-centered programs scalable to all library buildings and staff sizes. We’ve enjoyed getting to know each of the regions involved in the partnership, building relationships with librarians and legacy coordinators around the state, and engaging with lifelong learners in your communities.
Since we launched our first programming catalog in 2010, this partnership has generated some very impressive statistics:
Developed more than 50 exclusive programs for libraries
Delivered 640 individual programs
Served more than 22,000 Minnesotans
This partnership has provided traditional lectures for adults as well as hands-on craft programs, involved libraries with teen oral history camps and traveling exhibits. It has sent Minnesota all-stars like Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard on the road and been the testing ground for live, interactive virtual programs. The topics covered through this partnership have been diverse, including Steampunk Mysteries, the fur trade, and the history of beer in Minnesota. It has been a dizzying whirlwind for us all, and we are so thankful for your support and partnership.
After six years of Legacy funding, both the Minnesota Historical Society and the Minnesota Regional Library Systems find themselves in very different places from where we started. The library regions have built up the experience, structures, and staffing to select and book programs throughout the state. However, program managers now work with smaller budgets causing regional support for this partnership to dwindle. The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is focusing on the final years of its current strategic plan and its staff have learned much about the resources required to run effective statewide outreach. Many outreach programs that existed six years ago have been set aside in favor of more sustainable initiatives.
Due to all of these factors, MNHS will not continue to fund this partnership in the next fiscal year. However, we know that the relationships that we’ve built over this time will continue. MNHS is committed to serving a diverse, lifelong learning audience, and making its resources more inclusive and accessible than ever. Over the next few years, MNHS will push the boundaries of interactive, live virtual programming for senior audiences and develop online and mobile experiences to engage more diverse urban and rural communities around the state. Above all, our organization will continue to provide unique, audience-centered programs at our sites and with partner communities around the state.
Even though this period of program partnership is ending, we know we will be working with many of you in new and exciting capacities in the future. Thank you for six productive and instructive years.
Beyond the Book — Winter Bees
Winter Bees introduces the viewer to Joyce Sidman, the author of a 2015 Minnesota Book Award winner, and a young reader. Together they explore the winter environment and the creation of poems and art that make Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold a joyful read. Through the beautifully illustrated poems and this new video story, we learn how animals stay alive in our cold north country.
Winter Bees is a Beyond the Book special production by TPT in partnership with The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and CRPLSA.
Teen Lit Con 2016
Teen Lit Con 2016 – A day to celebrate teen literature, promote reading and writing, and to create a community of readers by connecting teens and authors.
May 7, 2016
Henry Sibley High School
1897 Delaware Ave, Mendota Heights
Free & Open to the Public – Doors open at 9:30am. First event at 10:00.
Posters featuring book covers or author pictures. Print and post at the library or school!
Use & follow the event hashtag #teenlitcon
This project made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.
MNShelfies
Enter Minnesota Book Awards’ MNShelfies contest!
The #MNshelfies display contest hopes to raise the visibility of the 2016 Minnesota Book Awards finalists. Using the free resources and your own creativity, create a display showcasing at least one of the eight genre categories.
Submit a “shelfie” of your display and share it on social media. Entries submitted by March 31 will be eligible to win one of two prizes!
SELCOtv Features MNBA 2016 Booktalks
Just in time for the 2016 Minnesota Book Awards, SELCO staff will “booktalk” each of this year’s 32 finalists for SELCOtv. A special YouTube playlist aggregates the videos as they are posted. During the days leading up to the awards ceremony on April 16, 1-2 booktalks from the eight award categories will be posted each day.
Here is a selection of those shared thus far in the individual MNBA genre categories:
- Poetry: Home Studies by Julie Gard
- Children’s Literature: Dad’s First Day by Mike Wohnoutka
- Minnesota: Minnesota State of Wonder by Brian Peterson, stories by Kerri Westenberg
- Memoir & Creative Nonfiction: Water and What We Know: Following the Roots of a Northern Life by Karen Babine
- Novel & Short Story: The Patron Saints of Lost Comfort Lake by Rachel Coyne
Booker – the LARL Mascot
The new Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) mascot – BOOKER – paid a special visit to the Crookston Public Library for storytime. The children’s event featured owl stories, games, crafts and lots of fun.
10 Pigs Excitement in ECRL
Ten Pigs In Wyoming!
East Central Regional Library staff declare, “It was one epic, amazing, and fun event for everyone!” as Derek Anderson, author and illustrator, presented the very first, statewide Once Upon a Reader Trunk Show based on his book, Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure!
The premier event held at the ECRL Branch Library in Wyoming captivated 62 kids this morning. The trunk show rolls on to Pine City this afternoon.
MN Book Awards Promo – Enjoy
Minnesota Book Awards with support from CRPLSA through Library Legacy funding.
Johnson Group Selected
CRPLSA is pleased to announce Johnson Group has been selected to design a Library Legacy report. The final product will be a visually compelling document that highlights the wide variety of programs and activities made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.
Johnson Group has a 25-year repertoire which includes full-service design, branding, and advertising. The response to CRPLSA’s Request for Proposal identified an approach that will share CRPLSA’s Library Legacy story with key stakeholders and convey the scope and effectiveness of regional library efforts. After an initial discussion, a project timeline was established that will deliver a final product to CRPLSA by November 2016 – just in time for the 2017 legislative session.
28th Annual MNBA Finalists Announced
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is pleased to announce the finalists in all eight categories for the 28th Annual Minnesota Book Awards. Chosen on Saturday, January 30, by 24 judges from around the state – writers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and others from the literary community.
Award winners will be announced at the 28th Annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 16, at St. Paul’s historic Union Depot, 214 Fourth Street East. The Preface reception begins at 7 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 and available by visiting www.thefriends.org or calling 651-222-3242. The official hashtag for social media is #MNBA16. All are encouraged to use it when posting comments, status updates or tweeting about any of the authors or their books.
Story Stroll Order Deadline
Sunday, January 31 will be the last day to place orders for Once Upon a Reader storytime kits, story strolls, and play kits – for those libraries that want materials included in the first round of fulfillment and delivery. All orders received between January 6 and January 31 will be processed during the month of February (and in hand before the commencement of Derek Anderson’s first trunk shows). All orders received between Monday, February 1 and Thursday, March 31 will be fulfilled during the month of April. Regions and libraries may hold off and place orders after the January mark, if that works best for regional planning.
Each region participating in Once Upon a Reader will be receiving one free, complete set of Once Upon a Reader materials (a storytime kit, story stroll, and play kit). These will be delivered to regional library offices via Minitex along with kits ordered in round one.
For more information email David Katz, Once Upon A Reader Coordinator or contact your regional library.
Club Book – New Season
MELSA is excited to announce the new season lineup for Club Book! Check out some of the amazing authors coming to the Twin Cities over the next few months. If you miss a program or simply want to hear the author again, Club Book produces podcasts of all events which are available for free streaming and download.
MALF Support for Once Upon a Reader
Last year, the Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) partnered with CRPLSA as 
the regions rolled out the first ever statewide one-book program geared towards young children. MALF is pleased to share news that as this celebration of literature and literacy, dubbed “Once Upon a Reader,” returns for a second year – and so will the MALF partnership!
MALF will offer members a generous cash match to offset up to half of the Once Upon a Reader materials costs! Matches will be capped at three (3) items and/or $300 per Friends group. Available for purchase are a waterproof and reusable Story Stroll, sign-sized book pages that will allow a library to display the Ten Pigs story outside a library or along a path in the park; an Epic Storytime Kit, which includes a copy of Ten Pigs, four other bath time and barnyard tales, and tie-in crafts; and a 15-piece Ten Pigs Play Kit for libraries to circulate among families and care providers.
Participating in Once Upon a Reader through this special offer is simple. Place an order online through the program’s website. At an early convenience, print a copy of the receipt or order confirmation form and mail it to MALF with this completed form. MALF will verify library membership and remit reimbursement for half the OUR expenses within 30 business days.
Note: Eligibility is contingent on 2016 MALF membership. Groups that participated last year are welcome to reapply for the match.
Once Upon a Reader is made possible thanks to funding from Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. This year’s season will be observed from March to October and include a diverse mix of tie-in activities, enabling libraries of all sizes and in all corners of the state to participate in the program.
Digital images from GRRL
The Great River Regional Library (GRRL) recently participated in a joint project with Minnesota Digital Library and the Digital Public Library of America.
MDL sought content on the history of libraries in Minnesota and GRRL provided exterior and interior images of the St. Cloud Public Library’s original Carnegie building, built in 1902 and torn down in 1981, images of St. Cloud’s second library building, in use from 1979 to 2009, its Bookmo
bile, the Little Falls Public Library, and the Royalton Community Library.
Two of the GRRL images were selection for DPLA’s online exhibition, “A History of US Public Libraries,” in the Carnegie libraries section.
Once Upon a Reader – 2016 Launch!
As we kick off the New Year, CRPLSA is pleased to commence season two of Once Upon a Reader. Aimed at pre-K children and their families, this statewide one-book program promotes Minnesota children’s literature and encourages families to Talk, Sing, Read, Write and Play together – five practices critical to early literacy skills development.
A panel of youth services librarians from across the state selected Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure, by Minnesota author/illustrator Derek Anderson, as the focus of this year’s program. “Anderson combines humor with simple, straightforward rhymes to successfully convey basic counting concepts,” praises School Library Journal. “Because of its big, vivid illustrations and rhythmic, sprightly rhymes, [Ten Pigs] is ideal for sharing with a group as a read-aloud.”
CRPLSA launched Once Upon a Reader’s inaugural season in 2014, with funding from Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. This year’s season will be observed from March to October and include a diverse mix of tie-in activities, enabling libraries of all sizes and in all corners of the state to participate in the program.
Beginning this spring, Derek Anderson will travel across the state entertaining and educating kids in each participating regional library system with his “Ten Pigs Trunk Show.” During this portable one-man show, the author will read the book aloud, lead a reenactment, sketch, sing, and more. Visit onceuponareader.org, or click HERE, to see when Derek will be in a community near you.
Additional Once Upon a Reader activity materials are offered through the program’s website. Available for purchase are a waterproof and reusable Story Stroll, sign-sized book pages that allow you to display the Ten Pigs story outside a library or along a path; an Epic Storytime Kit, which includes your own copy of Ten Pigs, four other bath time and barnyard tales, and tie-in crafts; and a 15-piece Ten Pigs Play Kit for libraries to circulate among families and care providers.
Free and downloadable resources include a Ten Pigs scavenger hunt, matching game, drawing activity, bubble adventure, and more!
As Once Upon a Reader ramps up in earnest, library staff are encouraged to join with peers across the state in OUR Resource Share, a Facebook group devoted to the sharing of Once Upon a Reader photos and stories, programming ideas, and resource suggestions. In addition to keeping the conversation going, this Facebook resource allows members to share and download documents where helpful.