Dragons loose in the Library!

Ready to throw goblins at my adventurers! 

 Many libraries have discovered the fun of table top gaming. There are a ton of choices for gamers. Pathfinder, Warhammer, Star Wars and even Indiana Jones. Where you create characters to play and are led by your Game Master though adventures. 

My library has just started a Dungeons & Dragons group aka D&D. I've long been a gamer of all sorts, but it has been ages since I picked up anything D&D. For example last time I played it was 3rd edition. Now we're up to 5th edition. Topping it off.... I am now the DM (dungeon master or game master) running the game. 

Yikes! It's definitely a learning curve but, luckily I have a great set of adventurers. They are putting up with my fumbling behind the DM's screen to find the right stat or information. Our first few sessions have been a blast and the players are so creative. 

That's my favorite part about gaming. Players create characters according to the guidelines of the game. Some of it is very technical, which is what makes this a fantastic edition to your STEM programming. You need to know the numbers for your strength, armor class, casting ability for magic users and so on. Once that part is done players are encourage to come up with a story for their character. Who are they, where are they from, is there a family secret or is there a reason they dislike bugbears. 

They put their full imagination into creating these characters and into playing them. It's so much fun to

Our new Battle Mat can't wait to try it out! 

see them immersed in their roles. Everything from changing their voices and mannerisms to the way they paint the figures that represents them on the table. 

Sure a dragon or two gets loose in the library but it is so worth it to see then engagement of the players and how much they put into the game. 

If you were wondering how this could be STEM... There is math involved, reading comprehension, art, writing skills and more. Yes, even science. We had a lengthy discussion one night on how a cleric's spell effect would work in our world. There were some very good theories and ideas. 

If you haven't gamed before give it a try, tons of fun and learning all wrapped in one :) 

Creating an experience

 Summer Reading Programs are all about creating an experience for patrons in your library. Most programs focus on the youth programs as they are the largest attended. So, we want those little eyes wide with wonder as they leave to tell their friends. 

This year's theme is Oceans of Possibilities, it holds many possibilities to get creative with the library. I've just really gotten started on my decor but having a blast doing so. I love being able to stretch those artistic muscles :) Here's what is up so far I'll post more photos as I attempt to turn the Children's section into an undersea adventure. 

Fishes swim in the air! Now that's magic! 

Air diving dolphin. 

A school of library fishes (860 to be exact cut out by teens) 

Yo, ho, a reading pirate I shall be! 

Book to Movie, is the book really always better?

 Screen writing is one of those things I have never been able to master. It is a completely different

experience than writing a novel or short story. You must be more concise, give clear direction without any frills.... I can't do it. I must have the frills. 

I believe that's why we always feel the book is always better. Let's take our beloved Harry Potter series. It is rich with characters and settings. So many wonderous creatures and adventures that we are drawn into and feel like we take with Harry, Ron and Hermine. 

A great deal of people enjoyed the films but declared them incomplete! There were scenes missing, information and characters that were only touched on in the films. If you read the books first you felt the space where those were supposed to be in the story. 

Those missing bits upset quite a few before-the-movie readers. It is understandable if you adored Tonks and you only got bits of her in the last couple of films. Yet... 

We have to think about what it took to adapt that huge epic tale into film. The books could easily have been three to four hour epic films or even mini-series. Instead they were molded into a shortened version that could work in the timeframe allowed. Movies aren't like a bag of holding, you can't just toss in all  your books, clothes and a tent. Movies are muggle made where there are more limits. 

One of my favorite film adaptions was Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flag. If you haven't seen it or read it , GET THEE TO A LIBRARY THIS INSTANT! It is kind of a chick flick but most guys I know who have watched it enjoyed the comedy of the tale. Anywhoo, they made a few changes in the story to make it work on the big screen and it did work. Worked very well. It also inspired people to go out and find Ms. Flags books and devour them for all the adventures of Idgie and Ninny at the Whistle Stop Cafe. 

The very same thing happened with our friend Harry. Teens, tweens, and even adults swarmed bookstores and libraries for copies of these magical adventures. So, in a way the movie inspires reading of the book. 

For those of us who read the book first, we have the inside scoop before anyone else. As you watch the story unfold in the theater, munch some popcorn and know that you hold all the secrets. The little details or the one scene that didn't make it into the adaption. On your way out of the theater, mention one of these to another movie goer. If they haven't read the book I bet they will want to now! 

Yeah, we know the truth. Books are always better than the movie... they hold all the magic! 

Adventures as a Book Wizard

 

 Here we are, April 1st. The first day of the month and the first post ever created on this blog. It's beautiful and clean and about to get filled with messy posts filled with the silliness that is in my mind. 

I'll be sharing my adventures as a Book Wizard in a rural muggle library. Trust me, it will be a lot of fun :) As a youth services librarian you are always planning. Right now I am wand deep into planning summer reading programs and adventures. 

There are going to be some performers, musicians, authors, artists, and even Ben Franklin.... really. Okay, a reenactor playing Benjamin Franklin, but it's still going to be very cool. 

This summer's theme is Oceans of Possibilities. Naturally, I went right for the gillyweed so I could have a chat with some water dwelling folk for decorating and program ideas. With the help of a few muggle volunteers and co-workers I am hoping to create an undersea experience in my children's area. Here are a few photos of what we have so far a sunken pirate ship and wall of fishes.... 860 fishes to be exact. 

860 fishes on the wall! Take one down pass it around there's 859 fishes left on the wall! 

Our sunken pirate ship as yet unnamed. 

There is much yet to do. Finish scheduling interesting guests, getting supplies for getting messy in the makerspace and best of all adding all the new books and other materials for summer reading to our collection .Plus there's still TWO more months before summer that need planning for programs and zany adventure. *whew* Maybe I should hire an octopus for the summer, I really need more tentacles..

 er... I mean hands to get everything done and ready by my goal date. (2nd week of April.... I must be as crazy as Mad-eye Moody.) 

I'm looking forward to sharing our library magic and more with you this month. Plus a book suggestion that begins with the corresponding letter of the day!  Even more so to visit your blogs. See you for the letter B tomorrow! *looks around... now where did I put my quill? 

Oh and  here's the suggestion for A : American Royals by Katherine McGee