Kids First Overview and Photos

More than 190 people attended the Kids First Conference, "Chillin' @ The Library, on April 28-29 in Des Moines.

Thursday's keynote speaker, Gene Del Vecchio, gave a fantastic presentation on "Making the Library Cool for Kids.  Del Vecchio is the founder of Coolworks.  Highlights of his speech included:

1. "Today's libraries need to connect with children's timeless emotional needs...such as the need for pride, accomplishment, empowerment, fantasy fulfillment, control and more. When was the last time you rewarded children for reading books? Did you announce the winners of reading contests with appropriate fanfare and post their pictures on your walls? When did you let children decide what the library should look like so that they will feel a sense of ownership? When was the last time you helped children get a little bit closer to their career fantasies?"
2. "But beyond connecting with children's timeless emotional needs, today's libraries also need to tie into contemporary trends. In fact, children of today expect libraries to keep pace with other places they frequent. Book stores sell trinkets. Museums are having sleepovers. Some libraries display dinosaur bones and salt water aquariums. They are giving children a full, rich experience. Are you?"
3. "In the end, don't think of your library as a place where books are loaned. Think of it as something far more grand...such as a portal through which people travel on amazing adventures, empowering their fantasies and their lives. And you, dear librarian, have the ability to be their pilot!"

Jean Gullikson, children's services manager, and Debi Stephenson, children's programmer, from the Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque were Friday's keynote speakers.  Their fabulous displays were a big hit with the crowd.  Some of their comments included:

1. Use all of the space you have available to add interest and color to your library's environment. Think about utilizing your walls, ceilings, ends of shelves, sides of book carts, windows, floors, and other everyday spaces. Look at your space from floor to ceiling and use it to your advantage.
2. Get others to do the work for you as much as possible. Find volunteers who have an interest in artistic endeavors - scrapbooking, painting, crafting, woodworking, etc. Tell them about the design you'd like and they can make it happen for you!
3. Creating attractive displays doesn't have to cost a lot of money.
4. Community members, businesses, patrons, and others may let you borrow or have something eye-catching that will pull your entire display together. Don't be afraid to ask! Be sure to acknowledge their contributions with a little note of thanks in the display.