Enchanted Library 2013

Rub-a-Dub, Dub

Our 5th Annual Enchanted Library program took place on Friday, and I’m happy to report that everything went very well!  A quick overview of the program for those who haven’t read previous blog posts about it…

The Enchanted Library is a two-fold program.  The first is a program for our middle school students who are interested in acting or working backstage.  Beginning in June and July, staff members create the new theme for Enchanted Library – writing scripts for each scene, designing backdrops, procuring props, and planning out costumes.  When September comes, the middle school students (grades 5 – 8) interested in participating try-out for parts and learn more about the program.  The one rule I have is that if a child is interested in volunteering their time, they will receive a part (even if that means rewriting scripts to add more characters).  Then each week, the students come into practice their parts, meanwhile I’m finalizing props, costumes, backdrops, refreshments and schedules.  Working this closely with middle school kids is not always easy, but these kids are really great, most work really hard, and all are very excited about participating in something like this.  I think it’s important for them to be given the experience of being in front of a crowd, while also teaching them the importance of volunteering in the community.  And the community gets a chance to see the positive things that these kids can do!

The great part of this program is that although it does take up a lot of planning time, it’s relatively inexpensive for the size of the program.   All of our costumes come from thrift stores or are Halloween costumes that we buy on sale.  Props come from staff and families in the community and backdrops are made out of furniture boxes.  It’s truly amazing what you can create using some cardboard, paint and your imagination.  And each year our costs go down as we accumulate more things that can be reused year after year.  This is also a great program that brings our staff together – almost everyone participants in some form whether its bringing in something for refreshments, or helping with dress rehearsals, or working the night of the program to help everything run smoothly.  This is truly a team effort and I am so lucky to be a part of such a great team!

This year’s theme was Mother Goose nursery rhymes, continuing our theme from the spring with the implementation of our Family Place grant and our Mother Goose Fair in April.  We had 410 people register for the Enchanted Library – families from the community who have come to love this very unique program that we offer.  On Friday night, we close an hour early as staff frantically pulls together the last few pieces to create a truly enchanted library.  We string twinkle lights along the path and our middle school guides take groups of people through the darkened library where they see seven different skits placed strategically around the library.  After five years of this program, I can finally rest easy as we have ironed out many of the issues we’ve had in previous years.  We assign families a time slot for a tour and offer tours every 10 minutes for 2 1/2 hours.  This is about as long as the kids can focus and as late as parents are willing to bring children out for a program.

Overall, we had a very successful program, many of the families had wonderful things to say about the performers, the skits and even more important – are planning on stopping by the library to pick up a book about Mother Goose nursery rhymes after realizing their children didn’t know much about them!  I figure that’s a success as well!  It’s another year and another success and I’m so glad I can rest a little as the holidays are right around the corner.  Next year’s planning is already in the works… our theme – Get a Clue (we’ll be using a lot of the detective characters found in children’s literature to create a mystery that each tour group will need to solve by the end of the tour!)

All photography credit goes to my amazingly talented boyfriend, Kriston Bethel, who is always willing to lend a hand (and a camera) to help us out!  Thank you!

Hey Diddle, Diddle

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe

Three Blind Mice

Humpty Dumpty and Jack & Jill

Little Miss Muffet

Enchanted Library Cast & Crew