Gale World History In ContextGale Biography In ContextGale U.S. History In Context
I know the kids would rather not hear this but school days are creeping ever closer… and thus I do want to remind everyone of the great school resources that the county libraries provide for those upcoming school projects. Gale In Context has some great offerings to help with those history projects and papers.
World History and U.S. History are the two history databases to help you ace the new school year. Now for information on historical and famous figures you can trust Biography In Context. Get those grades up with reliable sources from the county libraries Gale In Context databases this year!
Have you ever had a patron inquire about legal forms? Well, there’s a database for that! Gale LegalForms connects patrons to the Pennsylvania Legal Form Library and offers access to a wide variety of templates.
Patrons can browse by category or search for a specific form needed, and all forms are easily available and specific to Pennsylvania. For most topics, there are also multiple forms to choose from, allowing patrons to find the one that best suits their needs. The documents come in MS Word format, allowing patrons to easily edit them. Best of all, there are no fees!
Creativebug: A Treasure Trove for Crafting Enthusiasts
Creativebug is an online platform brimming with over 1,500 video tutorials covering a wide range of crafts, from painting and knitting to jewelry-making and quilting. And the best part? It’s entirely free for library cardholders!
New classes are added weekly, ensuring there’s always something exciting to learn.
Why Should You Share Creativebug with Your Patrons?
Ideal for Programs:
Planning to host crafting events at the library? Creativebug offers
public performance rights, allowing you to showcase videos to groups, whether in-person or online. It’s that simple!
Engaging and Fun for Patrons:
Each video includes closed captions and step-by-step instructions, plus a
Member Gallery where patrons can upload their completed projects and receive feedback from others.
Benefits for Your Patrons
Ad-Free Crafting:
The tutorials are professional-quality and well-organized, free from ads and distractions typical of platforms like YouTube.
Welcoming All Skill Levels:
Whether someone is a beginner learning crochet or an expert seeking advanced techniques, there’s something for everyone.
Unlimited Access:
Patrons can watch as many tutorials as they like—whenever they want—without needing to purchase a subscription!
Fun Program Ideas for Patrons
✅ Quick Craft Workshops Select short, enjoyable classes that patrons can complete in a few hours. Consider workshops like “How to Make a Simple Clay Pot” or “DIY Pom-Pom Headbands.” These can be hosted in-person or virtually, turning them into social events!
âś… 30-Day Crafting Challenges Develop a month-long challenge featuring daily crafting prompts. Encourage patrons to share their projects on social media or within the Creativebug Member Gallery for added interaction.
✅ Craft Circles Organize a “watch-and-make” craft circle where patrons can view a Creativebug class together and work on their projects as a group. This fosters both crafting and conversation.
✅ Seasonal/Theme-Based Events Leverage Creativebug’s content to align with seasonal themes—such as holiday decorations, back-to-school crafts, or summer DIY projects. Pair a class with a themed book display at the library.
How to Promote It to Your Community
Website & Social Media: Highlight Creativebug as a free resource on your library’s website and social media platforms. Don’t forget to incorporate QR codes or links for easy access!
Engage Patrons on Social Media: Motivate patrons to share their finished projects on social media using your library’s custom hashtag. You might even host an online “Crafting Challenge” or a virtual gallery show!
A Sample Month of Fun & Engaging Activities
Week
Staff Action
Patron Experience
1
Promote Creativebug via eBlast and social media
Patrons start a new craft challenge (e.g., DIY wreaths)
2–3
Send weekly emails with class suggestions
Patrons try new projects based on the theme
4
Host an in-person or virtual “Craft & Chat” session
Patrons share their projects and ideas with each other
End
Send out a survey asking about favorite classes and ideas for future events
Patrons give feedback on what they loved!
Creativebug is an incredible asset for libraries to offer their patrons. Whether you’re aiming to host programs, create themed events, or simply provide more resources for crafting enthusiasts, Creativebug has it all. With unlimited access, ad-free content, and projects suitable for all skill levels, it’s a user-friendly resource that can transform your library into a hub of creative exploration.
If you’re eager to get started or need assistance planning your first program, the Creativebug team is available to help! Reach out to them anytime for guidance, training, or ideas for your next big event.
Happy crafting! Let’s inspire your community to create together! 🎨
Thanks to my long list of romance authors I want to check out, I have been what I would consider a heavy Hoopla user this year – and I still forget to take advantage of my bonus borrows! This is a great feature Hoopla offers that your patrons – and maybe staff! – probably need a reminder about.
In the last week of every month, Hoopla offers a selection of titles as bonus borrows. These can be checked out with ZERO cost to the library and, since it counts as a bonus, it doesn’t use up one of the 5 checkout spots. Sure, you’re not able to freely browse – this is a curated collection offered up by Hoopla, but it includes eBooks, audiobooks, comics, TV, movies, and a BingePass, so there’s something for everybody.
So maybe you’re about to go on vacation and want to squeeze in a TV show on your days off. Maybe you’ve got a patron just trying to get a little extra on their summer reading challenge. This month, bonus borrows are available from July 25th – July 31st, so you’ve got time to start spreading the word! If you check out Hoopla’s resource center (an incredible service in its own right that I also forget to take full advantage of!), they’ve got graphics you can post to your social media or display around your libraries.
