Hello! I wanted to clarify for folks that these puppetry workshops are not just on hand puppetry but will be full of ideas from crafting with kids to storytime extensions that include audience participation. The workshops will cover a wide variety of puppetry use in programming. I'm also pleased to announce that the Library of Michigan, with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, will be sending participants back to their libraries with a finger puppet to use in storytime and a small set of books on various puppet programming for your PD reference shelves. Space is limited, so see my email below with details on registration/dates. Thank you, Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://liblists.org/postorius/lists/miyouth.liblists.org/> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services. [A picture containing logo Description automatically generated] Do you know an outstanding Michigan educator? Nominate them for 2027-28 Michigan Teacher of the Year! The Michigan Teacher of the Year Program is accepting nominations through September 23. Nominate an educator using the online form<https://mde.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3VO6y33yPJYG0t0>. For more information, visit www.Michigan.gov/mtoy.<https://www.michigan.gov/mtoy> [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>. ________________________________ From: Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 4:14 PM To: MI Youth Services List <miyouth@liblists.org>; Michlib-L <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Practical Puppetry for Powerful Programs workshop registration is now open! CAUTION: This is an External email. Please report suspicious emails via the "Report to Abuse" button in Outlook Ready to Read Michigan Presents... Practical Puppetry for Powerful Programs! Adding puppetry to library programs can engage learners, promote inclusive environments, breathe life into timeless classics, lift up diverse stories, and ignite imaginations. But who has time for memorizing lines, the budget for exotic supplies, or the opportunity to implement long-term lesson plans? You can do it all without complicated puppet stages, formal scripts, expensive materials, or midnight oil! Experience practical puppetry activities in action. Learn what makes puppetry well-suited to library learning and which types of puppets are best-suited to different activities. Adapt a story, song, or game to include puppets. Practice your crafting and performing skills. Return to your own library inspired and prepared to add puppetry to your own programs. Participants will learn to: * Define puppetry and list five basic styles of puppetry. * Summarize the benefits of incorporating puppetry into library learning. * Consider the role of puppetry to create engaging and inclusive experiences. * Employ frameworks to match the type of puppet best suited to a given opportunity and adapt existing stories, songs, and content to puppetry. * Interpret and present an existing story, song, or fingerplay using puppetry. * Apply examples of practical puppetry in programs. Registration Details: This in-person workshop runs from 9:30 - 5:00 pm EST, with lunch provided. Space is limited and there is a $35.00 fee to attend, payment for either workshop location is due by September 7th. * Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Delta Township District Library<https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Lk3hPuKGboAsqBc6>, register here: https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=11719& * Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library<https://maps.app.goo.gl/FedCQNFqQzGn1Zcv6>, register here: https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=11724& Instructor: Katie George (she/her) has been working in public libraries for over 20 years. She is currently the Professional Development Instructor at Howard County Library System in suburban Maryland, but she began her library career in the children's department. Katie has incorporated puppetry into library programs and events for children, teens, and adults. Before moving to library land, Katie performed with puppets at Walt Disney World and constructed puppets at VEE Corporation in MInneapolis. For two years she was the Resident Puppet Builder at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. Katie earned her MA from the University of Connecticut's Puppet Arts Program and her MLS from the University of Maryland's College of Library and Information Studies. Katie has presented puppetry workshops for the Puppeteers of America, the Maryland Library Association, the American Library Association, and in other venues. This program is made possible by the Library of Michigan and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://liblists.org/postorius/lists/miyouth.liblists.org/> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services. [cid:9b6c60ff-92bb-4e53-ad1d-f191b9fd0c4e] Nourishing Michigan’s Future during the summer! Find a Summer Food Service Program site nearest you and encourage Michigan’s children to Meet Up and Eat Up! Michigan.gov/MeetUpEatUp<http://www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup>. [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
