The Central NY Library Resources Council supports libraries in Herkimer, Madison, Oneida & Onondaga counties and advocates for libraries everywhere!
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The Sullivan Free Library in Bridgeport has had puppet shows and international crafts, as well as a display of pictures featuring friends of the library from around the world. Although the library only has a microwave and a refrigerator, the library also hosted an international cooking class for kids using very simple recipes, mostly prepared ahead of time. Della DeTore, the manager at Sullivan Free Library, really pleased the kids when she brought in candy from around the world. Ms. DeTore visited multiple shops, like Europe on Erie Blvd in Syracuse, to pick up an assortment of international candies. 

In Canastota, the preschool storytime group have been reading stories about things that everybody around the world does, like having friends, having pets, and having family. The middle school and high school kids had a great Night in India event with henna painting and Indian food. They also did some crafting with coil clay pots. A local friend of the library taught the teens Bangra dancing and yoga. The teen book club is reading four stories that take place in four different parts of the world. In addition to all of this, local performer Dave Ruck came by and performed different musical instruments from around the world for the kids.

Cazenovia Public Library‘s program has been so popular that they had to add an extra session! The librarians of Cazenovia, one of which also works at the Montessori school, knew people in the community who hailed from other countries. These special guests were invited in to give presentations. There were three two-hour long events with 60-70 kids in each, and despite sitting in a large group for so long, the kids were excited and fully attentive.
“The fact that the people were real is what made it so successful,” said Betsy Nash. A woman from Mexico brought in a Spanish bingo game and a woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo taught the kids another fun game. An Egyptian woman came in with a beautiful Egyptian costume, including special jewels on her head resembling a headdress. A woman from China told a story about a little boy learning calligraphy from his mother and while telling the story, this presenter demonstrated calligraphy to the audience. The next day in the day care center, there were five children doing Chinese calligraphy!

What is your library doing? Tell us!




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