AtoZ Blogging Challenge – "X" Marks the Spot

Program Name: X Marks the Spot: A Library Scavenger Hunt

What: This is a great program to introduce the library layout to kids (or adults!) It can be as simple as giving a library tour and then handing a card to each child instructing them to search for a specific item. Or it can be very labor intensive and somewhat confusing if you’re doing separate clues for each scavenger hunt team. But, it does help kids become familiar with the library and where to find information.

Where: This program must happen out on the library floor, so choose a day and time when the library is typically a little quieter or offer it during a sleepover event as some libraries have.

When: This program can happen at any time during the year. We’ve offered scavenger hunts to elementary school classroom visits and more in-depth ones as a library program for our middle school kids.

Who: Again, we’ve offered this for both elementary and middle school students, but you could do this for teens and adults too! The only group it doesn’t work so well for is kids that aren’t reading yet as figuring out clues can be difficult when you can’t read them.

How: Like I mentioned previously, this can be as simple as handing a card to each child and asking them to go find the item(s) listed. Or you can hide clues in specific titles and teach kids more about how to read spine labels and the Dewey Decimal System.

Alternatives:

• Partner with Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library online where they have a complete scavenger hunt for a library ready to go!
• Check on Pinterest to see how other libraries have held their own scavenger hunts.
• Offer a Library 101 program – give a library tour, talk about programs and resources and then let families wild in the library on a scavenger hunt for books they want to take home!

During the month of April, I’ll be participating in the 2018 Blogging from A to Z Challenge. For this year’s theme, I’ll be offering you a library program plan with everything you to need to re-create it at your own library. Most of these programs we’ve offered in the past, others are programs I’d like to try in the future. I’m always looking for new inspiration and I thought you might be too!