How do you decide what activities to include in Summer
How do you find your performers and presenters?
Adventure?
Melody: A lot of performers will know what the theme is and plan
Joanna: We think about the summer slide and helping kids keep
a program around it. We also have a presenters’ database and hear
their brain active. It’s very much about reading and learning, but also
about performers from other libraries.
sharing and creating.
Becca: There’s almost like a children’s presenter industry, and that
Christa: With younger kids, we really want to encourage creativity,
doesn’t really exist for teens. So we have to do a bit more groundwork
imagination, and free play.
to find some presenters for teens.
Britt: Libraries are known for books, but we’re more than just books.
Joanna: The pandemic made us move our programs online, and that
We make the program more reflective of all the cool stuff you can do
will continue. We will have virtual and in-person programs. We want
at our libraries.
to reach people where they are and when they can be available.
What’s it like picking out prizes for the community?
Why is Summer Adventure important?
Christa: We brainstorm different ideas and we get samples, because
Christa: It encourages kids and teens to keep reading and learning
we’re also looking at the quality of items.
over the summer.
Melody: When we receive all of the prizes, it’s like Christmas
Melody: It gives parents something fun with their own children
morning. You open up the boxes and get to see everything.
over the summer, including teachers, because they’re not working in
Joanna: And have to count it all.
schools.
Christa: It’s fun until you realize that you’re going through 8,000
Britt: Participants can develop a reading habit, or a habit of carving
items.
out time in their day to do something creative or move their bodies.
Britt: Choosing book prizes is challenging, because you are trying to
Starting a new habit like that can be life changing.
be a people pleaser while also including titles that represent a diversity
Joy: There’s a sense of accomplishment and meeting a goal. It’s really
of life experiences.
important for kids to choose to take on something, then complete it
Becca: It’s a very elaborate puzzle.
and feel proud about it.
Christa Funke, Tween Senior Librarian for Family & Children’s Services Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO College: Cedarville University
Favorite YA/Children’s Author: Rick Riordan, Mo Willems
Hobbies: Board games, coloring
Top Summer Jam: “Only Hope” by Switchfoot
Favorite Summer Adventure: Traveling
Pineapple on Pizza? No
Becca Philipsen, Senior LIbrarian for Young Adult Services Hometown: Sanborn, IA College: University of Northern Iowa (BA), University of WisconsinMilwaukee (MLIS)
Favorite YA Author: Tamora Pierce, Elizabeth Acevedo
Hobbies: Reading, puzzles
Top Summer Jam: “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Favorite Summer Adventure: Hiking, bike rides, finding new parks
Pineapple on Pizza? Yes
Joanna Nelson Rendón, Director of Young Adult Services Hometown: The Humid “Land Top Summer Jam: Jazz, Favorite Summer of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota especially René Marie Adventure: Hiking to water College: University of Denver Hobbies: Salsa dancing, (river, lake, waterfall, etc.) scrapbooking Favorite YA Author: Stacey Lee, Tamora Pierce Pineapple on Pizza? Yes
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