Promoting Programming with Printables!
After a wild three weeks of all kinds of computer issues (including getting my entire laptop keyboard replaced, twice!), I am back in action! As always, I used this somewhat stressful situation as a opportunity to learn even more about troubleshooting and diagnosing computer issues. So at least there’s that! Speaking of technology, today we’re talking about a really fun and practical way to use design software and drawing tablets to promote your library!
Ever wondered if you could combine your event fliers with your DIY craft kits? Enter: printables! Printables can be a coloring page (for kids, teens, or adults), parts to make an assembled paper craft, bookmarks, mad libs, a wordsearch, book bingo challenge…the list goes on!
These don’t have to be just a fun take home craft. Libraries can strategically find or create certain printables to tie in with current or upcoming library programming. I’ll give you an example: when I was interning with The Free Library of Philadelphia last summer, one of the things I decided to do was to create a custom coloring page to promote an upcoming Drag Queen Story Time series. Since families were still stuck in the house, I made the file easy to access and print from home. An activity for bored kids and program promotion all in one was just that easy!
I know, most people will be thinking I don’t have the time or skills to create something like this! Look around online, see who in your community is studying graphic design or illustration. Maybe a library volunteer or page, or maybe this calls for an artistic partnership with the local high school? If your library has a makerspace with computers and design software like Photoshop, why not invest in drawing tablets and make them a part of your library’s teen programming, then partner with teens to design custom content for the library? Win-win!
I picked up a Wacom tablet at the beginning of my internship which was perfect for plugging into my laptop and creating these at home using the open source drawing software Krita. Here are some more printables that I created during my internship:
Book Crown craft for kids: Color - Cut - Strut!
Summer Reading Promo Bookmarks
Original designs for five summer library bookmarks. These were printed out by library staff and included in summer grab and go craft kits!
South Philly Library building
A coloring page to remind community library lovers of their beloved local branch during the shutdown. Tracing over a digital photograph of the library, this one took a while!
All Ages Book Bingo Challenge
A bingo board that looks like an Ikea bookcase? Of course! Adding a stack of books to the free center square made this concept come to life.
The possibilities of using printables to promote library programming, and even the library itself are truly endless. Especially in an era when coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. Many of the printables I created involved a coloring aspect, thinking that kids and their parents wouldn’t mind if there was a new activity for them to do indoors right at home. As libraries reopen, look for wall space within the library for kids to bring in their colorful creations for the community to see, and try having a new coloring or story-based challenge each month.
Why not use a Book Bingo like the one I’ve created above to encourage genre fans to stretch their limits, creating a Horror or Romance bingo and using it as part of reader’s advisory? Why not reach older adults who love brain games with some library crosswords or word searches which include words about available library resources and services that aren’t books?
And of course, you can promote or support most any kind of programming with hands-on printables made available at the main desk before the event (to promote it), or at the event (to keep tactile learners busy and engaged throughout the event). Remember: if it can be printed, it can be used to promote!
All artwork: Lorelle S.
