Need craft ideas, story extension activities, and want to bring joy to your library kids? There is still time to register for Practical Puppetry. The Westbloomfield location is almost filled up, so don't forget Delta Twp District Library is an easy-on, easy-off location for those coming from the west, north, or south areas of the mitten!

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.  

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. 

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.

AI Literacy Unit from Girls Who Code 

AI is everywhere, and we want our students to be ready to shape its future. Download our free AI Literacy Unit to access foundational lessons on AI and machine learning concepts including feature extraction, pattern recognition, and training data. Created by educators for educators, Girls Who Code's AI Literacy Unit provides 10 online and screen free lessons to build learners’ understanding of how AI works and the real-world impact and considerations of AI.

Get ready for Hispanic Heritage Month with PLA's free workbook

Just in time for use in planning Library Card Sign-Up Month activities and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in September, PLA's new workbook Family Engagement for Spanish-Speaking Community Members: A Practical Guide for Authentic Engagement provides case studies and planning tools to help library workers better engage Spanish-speaking families. The guide is available for free download in English and Spanish.

From Digby to Inspector Whiskers...

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
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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. For more information, visit www.Michigan.gov/mtoy.