Wake Up! Story Time
If you are looking for a fun, playful way to introduce some movement into your preschool story time, take the kids to this imaginary barnyard for some moo-vin' and groovin'!
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jcarson's blog
Sisters in Spirit: Self-Defense and Trauma-Informed Yoga
In October 2017, as women were bravely tweeting #MeToo to draw attention to the ubiquitous experience of sexual harassment or assault of women all over the world, of every race, nationality, education level and socio-economic background, we were busy planning a special corresponding event here at the L.P. Fisher Public Library in Woodstock, NB.Â
Yoga for Heart Ache: Building Inclusive Programs
At public libraries we spend an awful lot of time celebrating the holidays and happy parts of life (as we should): Halloween parties, Valentine's crafts, Thanksgiving story time, book launches, STEM programs. These are all exciting and essential services. But what about the needs of our patrons that are sometimes a bit messier, a bit more hidden from public view, a bit less Hallmark-card sweet and a bit more nitty-gritty reality?
Library Chess Club
At the L.P. Fisher Public Library in Woodstock, N.B., we already have a monthly Family Board Game night and an afterschool Board Game Club, but when local chess aficionado Derek Vihvelin inquired about possibly beginning a chess club we answered with a resounding "YES!"
Painted Pumpkin Party
In lieu of celebrating Halloween, the L.P. Fisher Public Library held a pumpkin painting party at the end of 
October.
Outdoor Water Party
At the height of Summer Reading Club (SRC) or during an autumn back-to-school heat wave, sometimes the best thing to do is take the kids outside and hose them down — that will get the fidgets out! (Kidding!)
But seriously, throwing water balloons at people or targets is extremely therapeutic. I asked my SRC leader, Ebony Scott, to come up with a program called Water Games. My only stipulations were (1) that it not wet any of the books and (2) that it have a reasonable budget. (If only we could afford giant Nerf Super Soakers for everyone.)
Family Dance Party
Looking for a great way to get families physically active at your library without offering structured sports programs? How about a fun way to combine physical literacy with verbal and music literacy? It's time for you to host a Family Dance Party!Â
Family Yoga Party
Each year on June 21, the LP Fisher Public Library in Woodstock, New Brunswick, celebrates International Yoga Day, first made official by the United Nations on Dec. 11, 2014. But you don’t have to wait until June 2018 to celebrate — you can copy what we do by having a Family Yoga Party any time of year!
One Community: Celebrations of Indigenous History
Each June, Canada observes National Aboriginal Month, and June 21 is National Aboriginal Day. Last year, the LP Fisher Public Library celebrated by making deerskin shakers with a craftsperson from Woodstock First Nation (WFN).
Things Fall Apart: When Everything Goes Wrong
Sometimes, despite our best intentions, things fall apart. Or rather, it feels like we are falling apart, tearing at the seams. We scramble, gather the loose threads, look around desperately for someone to stitch us back together, but some life events are just too powerful. The emotions that come with these events bowl us over and yet we must carry on: children must be read to, timesheets must be submitted, reference questions must be answered, cameras flash and we smile and pretend everything is all right.Â
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