Sunday, February 16, 2020

This week at the library; or, Maker Faire

Happening this week
  • Monday
    • Books for bedtime
    • Open Storyroom
    • Paws to Read
    • D&D
    • Girl Scouts
  • Tuesday
    • Toddlers 'n' Books (2 sessions)
    • Pokemon Club
    • VIP volunteers
    • Lakeland tour
  • Wednesday
    • Winter Wigglers: Fit Kids
    • Lakeland Tour
  • Thursday
    • Lakeland field trip
    • Books 'n' Babies
    • Library on the Go outreach: OPtions
  • Friday
    • Free Lego Build
  • Saturday
    • Maker Faire Workshop: D&D
    • Maker Faire Workshop: Escape Room (3 sessions)
  • Sunday
    • Maker Faire
  • At work approx. 42 hours; 10 hours on desk; 3 programs
  • Approx. 5 hours work at home
Notes
  • It was a crazy week. 30+ people showed up for Pokemon Club and the Maker Faire was a LOT.
  • The first Pokemon Club we tried was just for middle school and teens. We had 3 middle schoolers and 2 high schoolers who wandered in later. Lots of parents asked for something for the younger kids, so we opened it up. Phew! There were a LOT more kids than I expected! We had them all packed into the Storyroom, some playing/trading cards, a bunch making Pokemon t-shirts, and then we had to reshift the whole group to set up the movie. Next month, we'll be spreading things out. The kids who want to play/trade cards will go upstairs in the Friends room. The kids who want to do activities will be using fabric crayons on squares to make their own Pokemon quilts. Then about 30 minutes in, at 5pm, we'll start a movie in the teen area.
  • I am REALLY grateful that my awesome colleagues at the school run the Maker Faire. My little part in it is a very minor one and it's a lot of work - can't imagine what they go through! They registered over 2,000 free pre-tickets and we had a pretty steady stream past our booth, especially in the afternoon. This year I brought the sewing machines but we never used them - I think I won't bring them next year. We didn't use the button-maker either. Our two main projects were crocheted beaded bracelets and cardboard loom weaving. We did show a number of kids how to do this, and other kids just got to take something. I got a lot of sign-ups for maker workshop email news and that was the main thing I wanted. We also got rid of *cough* gave away about... 200? kits for sewing aprons and potholders branded with the logo of a local sports team. The school gave us the opportunity to try them this year - they got a really good bulk discount. The aprons were pretty popular and aren't too hard to make (especially if you don't pay too much attention to the instructions.) The potholders are a different matter and... don't do well near heat. Which kind of defeats the purpose. We did end up next to a drum demo too, so I've run out of voice, but really I have no complaints - very well-run faire and our part was easy! Also, it was not freezing cold and raining this year, another bonus.

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