April 2004

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

April marks the time for Fooling Around the Library!

The month of April offers various opportunities to celebrate libraries and reading. National Library Week is observed in libraries throughout our nation April 18-24. The purpose of this week is to promote services offered by all types of libraries, and to encourage broader usage of these services. Some libraries use this week to encourage use of their electronic services in an effort to serve those who may not be able to come to the library. Others use this week to sponsor community seminars and outreach programs to the disadvantaged or the homebound. There are public and school libraries that collaborate during this week to encourage children and young adults to apply for a public library card. This is perfect timing, so that our youngest patrons are primed to participate in summer reading programs.

April 1, of course, marks the celebration of April Fools Day, an event that is much loved by children. Since this day is intended for harmless practical jokes, it seems fitting that libraries use this day to lure kids into the library. Have some foolish fun, and while there is a captive audience, kick off plans for National Library Week. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Invite kids to share their favorite April Fools joke or prank (Make sure they understand that the joke must be harmless).

2. Ask kids to make up knock-knock jokes, using main characters from their favorite books.

3. Sponsor a Fooling Around the Library Day and do a scavenger hunt where they hunt for funny items hidden in the stacks.

4. Do a trivia quiz about libraries (The quiz should use the most bizarre facts that young patrons would think are funny, such as the largest library fine, etc).

5. Use funny poetry books like HONEY SANDWICH by Elizabeth Honey and ask kids to share a funny poem.   They may even want to write and illustrate their own funny poems.

6. Introduce outrageously funny characters like GOONEY BIRD GREENE by Lois Lowry and invite young patrons to take part in a Gooney Bird look-alike contest.

7. Develop and distribute a bibliography of humorous books, and ask kids to read several of the books and share how the main characters in these books might celebrate April Fools Day. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's books about the Hatford boys and the Malloy girls are perfect for such discussion. Other book suggestions include:

                           HARRIET THE SPY / Louise Fitzhugh

                           HARRIET SPIES AGAIN / Helen Ericson

                           SEE YOU AROUND, SAM! / Lois Lowry

                           BEETLES, LIGHTLY TOASTED / Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

                           OPERATION: DUMP THE CHUMP / Barbara Park

                           DOGS DON'T TELL JOKES / Louis Sachar

                           THERE'S A BOY IN THE GIRL'S BATHROOM / Louis Sachar

                           HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS / Thomas Rockwell

Here's wishing you and your patrons a fun-filled April Fools Day, and a National Library Week rich with activities that promote books and library services.

You may email me at pscales@scgsah.state.sc.us .