Yesterday Rancho Cucamonga Library staff made two presentations at CLA.
1. Playing and Learning in the Public Library - Robert, Renee, Bessie (from State Library) presented a program on our Play and Learn Islands. There were about 60+ people in the room to hear about our new cool PALs. Robert and I gave an overall background on the project and the funding, Renee talked about how they are used in the library, and Bessie talked about the State Library perspective. Everyone who was there seemed really into the presentation and interested in getting a PAL. There were loads of questions at the end of the program that then translated into lots of people rushing down from the program to our booth - all wanting to find out how they can get a PAL in their library!
2. Immediately following the PAL program, I ran down the hall to my next program - Public Library Programming and Partnerships for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Earth. I presented about our Healthy RC program alongside two librarians from the Lawndale Library (about their program). I focused on how the Healthy RC program started, the Library's role in the initiative, the programs we do (Earth Day, America Recycles Day, etc.), some of the great partnerships we have, and of course all the grants we have received to help us pull them off. There were about 50 in attendance, so I was glad!
All in all, both the programs showcased how innovative and different the Rancho Cucamonga Libraries are and how relevant we are in our community. I received many wonderful comments after both programs about what we do and how so many other libraries would like to replicate what we do. I am just so glad both of these are done!
I was super impressed by the "Play & Learn" Workshop! It was really amazing and emotionalt o hear abotu the journey of our library, play in our library, the birth of the PALs, why they're important, and what we've done to get here.
ReplyDeleteWe were all joking it was like "Lord of the RIngs" - the emotional tale and reliving walking through the mountains of Mordor. I feel like we're so close - we've almost ready to throw in the ring!
It was definitely one of the great highlights of the weekend. Knowing that others knew our journey, understood what everything meant, and to hear all the positive responses - especially from Bessie! It just really helped make all of the hard work feel extra worth it.
One of the favorite things I heard was that PALs are blending the best of both worlds - libraries and children's museums.