The Youth Services Playbook

Art Club was one of the most personal programs I ever created so this will be the first of a multi-part series on this blog. My undergraduate degree is in art, and for a long time, I thought I would become an art teacher. Life took me to the the library instead—but as youth services librarians know, the library is a place where you can make almost anything happen. Art Club became my way of bringing those two passions together. Each month, we explored a different artist or art

If you’re looking for a high-energy program that will have your registration list filled within hours and kids talking about the library long after they leave, Nerf Wars is it. During my time in youth services, this was hands-down one of our most popular after-hours events. It transformed the library into something magical—a place where kids could laugh, run, strategize, and connect with each other in a space they already loved. Programs like this matter. Not every family has

Looking for a fun, engaging program for young children that combines storytime with hands-on learning? A Stuffed Animal Storytime followed by a “Stuffed Animal Clinic” is the perfect way to spark imagination, build early literacy, and teach social-emotional skills! We found this program to be well-loved by preschool-aged children and their grownups, alike! Why This Program Works This activity does more than entertain—it supports social-emotional learning and early literacy. C