Social Library, Volume 150
Welcome to the 150th, or sesquicentennial edition of our Social Library series! We're thrilled to celebrate five years of highlighting the many ways libraries are leveraging Facebook to share innovative library programming, services, marketing, and social media fun! Over 600 libraries and organizations have been featured, representing every state in the country, Washington D.C., numerous Canadian provinces, and many more countries worldwide. We've also maintained a Social Library Series spreadsheet (xls) so you can sort by location, library, as well as by the over 130 themes or topics, from #bookfacefriday to fundraising, and from health to zombies. Is your library on the list? If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition of the Social Library, let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.
- Hawaiʻi State Public Library System hosted a Lion Dance to in celebration of Chinese New Year in January. Staff at Kailua Public Library posed for a photo with the Lions from Gee Yung International Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association who came to bless the library & patrons in time for the new year. "Lion dancing is both a sport and an art, requiring physical conditioning to express the beauty of the dance. The Asian Lion Dance Team primarily plays southern Futsan style lion dancing." Patrons were treated to a short introduction to Lion Dance, and joined the procession through the library, complete with drums!
- Olean Public Library in New York caught our eye with their innovative use of the cover photo space on Facebook. Each week, they post an informative graphic listing all the events happening This Week at the Library. The posts include events, days, times and any other important info, helpful at quick glance. Be sure to browse past examples in their Cover Photos folder.
- Little Dixie Regional Libraries in Missouri hosted a Stuffed Animal Sleepover! We are huge fans of stuffed animal sleepovers, and this crew spent the night at the Moberly Branch of the library. They shared a fantastic album of photos with children doing a few crafts, and some with the activities the stuffies enjoyed. We just had to include this photo of Roomba racing in the teen section!
- Anacortes Public Library in Washington hosts a free jazz concert the second Sunday of each month, sponsored by the Manieri Endowment. "The Anacortes High School jazz combo will be showing off their talents this afternoon for Second Sunday Jazz at the library! See you in the Community Meeting Room. Concerts are held at the Heart of Anacortes during warmer weather."
- Jackson County Public Library in North Carolina announced the start of a new special book club, hosted in collaboration with a local cocktail lounge. "Hello Jackson County readers! We have heard that you want more year round reading programs for adults, and we have answered that call. Starting Thursday, February 13th at 6 PM we are joining with the Paper Mill Lounge on Main St. for a Silent Book Club. In a Silent Book Club you come with a book of your choice - it can also be an eBook, magazine, or clay tablet! - settle in with your neighbors, enjoy some food and/or a beverage, and read. For the last half hour we will come back together to discuss anything that we have read that evening or any other time." The local news, WLOS featured a story on the library's new offering, highlighting the international Silent Book Club phenomenon.