# data[].attributes.body
Anything with animals - we have received grants to get in paid presenters but therapy dogs that the kids can read to are free and always a hit.

# data[].attributes.body
We do Messy Art every year! We've done stomp painting, finger painting, splatter painting... anything and everything that will make a mess. Kids love the approval of and enthusiasm around getting messy, and parents love the opportunity to provide the activities to their kids without the cleanup. It is pretty staff-heavy and lots of prep and cleanup involved, but worth it. Everyone loves it.

# data[].attributes.body
To support libraries interested in launching their own internship program, PLA is pleased to offer the Inclusive Internship Toolkit: A Practical Guide for Teen Internships, available as a free download.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A Community Art Swap is an event where new and gently used art materials are exchanged. Community members are encouraged to trade secondhand supplies, all of which are available for free.

Most of our planning time went into spreading the word about this event and sorting donations. We began promoting the event three months in advance. We also reached out to community groups who might want to collect unclaimed donations; one had particular criteria and agreed to select a small number of items that their service population might appreciate, and the other would take anything.

We set simple ground rules and included them in all of our promotional materials. In the weeks leading up to the event, we shared more specific guidelines on the event page. We looked at creative reuse centers like Philadelphia's Resource Exchange and Denton's Thistle Creative Reuse when setting these guidelines.

The week of the program, we collected donations from people who had art supplies to share but weren't able to make it to the event. These items were loosely sorted and stored until the day before the event, when they were organized more thoroughly and set up in the event space. Two staff members did the bulk of this work, and it took about four hours.

We reached out to local papers and family groups three months before the event date. We also created a Facebook event page and shared it in local "Buy Nothing" Facebook groups, groups focused on sustainability, and a few family groups.

In the weeks leading up to the event, we posted YouTube videos highlighting creative reuse projects and shared them on social media. A week before the event, we created fliers and asked local framing and art-focused stores to hang them in their shop fronts. We also asked local community members with active social media posts to share the event information on their social media channels. Our posts were met with positive responses on Facebook, though our event page only garnered 63 responses.

This program only cost us staff time. All the supplies that were made available were donated by community members.

Three staff members and a community volunteer facilitated this event.

An assortment of art supplies were organized on tables. Anyone was welcome to take items from this area or leave items for others to take. Anyone who had more precious supplies that they'd prefer to swap directly was encouraged to "pre-swap" materials using the Facebook event page. They could post items they had or wanted, arrange a trade, and then meet up at the event to exchange goods. Buying and selling good was prohibited.

A local group who runs a community pantry visited to select items that their families might appreciate. At the end of the event, anything that wasn't claimed was donated to a local thrift store, who was happy to receive art supplies.

About 80 people attended this program. Attendees were thrilled about the event, and many urged us to hold the event regularly. Some attendees had tips for acquiring more donations, though our preference would be to attract more people to help clear out the available materials. Our goal was to divert materials from landfills and make art materials accessible to a wide range of community members, which we did.

This program attracted local artists and hobbyists from a variety of disciplines. Because the swap lent itself to informal conversation, we were able to tell attendees about upcoming programs centered on art. Given the low cost of this program and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, we would happily host this program again. We relied on feedback from individual library patrons.

Expect to receive materials that are not fit for donation. Designate a space for these materials and quietly stow unusable materials there. Give staff as much time as possible to set up, and pull as many staff members as possible to help. Set a cutoff time for items to come in; we had a few people arrive minutes before the end of our program, which didn't allow enough time for their items to be claimed.

About Library

The Cranford Public Library is located in an affluent New Jersey suburb and serves a population of 24,000.

Divert art materials from landfills and encourage environmental-friendly crafts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A Community Art Swap is an event where new and gently used art materials are exchanged. Community members are encouraged to trade secondhand supplies, all of which are available for free. Most of our planning time went into spreading the word about this event and sorting donations.

# data[].attributes.body
Our teens that earn reading badges this year will receive little scratch tickets that I am making myself. I have partnered with local businesses so the teens can earn free slices of pizza, baked goods, gift certificates, and raffle entries.

# data[].attributes.body
Last year we offered vinyl stickers, kawaii-design erasers, and small buttons. A few patrons liked the erasors, but the vinyl stickers were highly-desired. We had a couple parents tell us afterwards that their teens were working their way through our bingo card primarily to get the vinyl stickers!

# data[].attributes.body
Our children loved earning these throughout the summer. They have SRP-themed ones and generic ones. Generic can be used all year, or are a great way to start if you're not sure if you'll have leftovers at the end of summer reading. Though kids often like the themed ones even after the program ends!
Library - Brag Tags® - School Products (schoollife.com)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Advertising Specialties, Promotions, Free Proofs

# data[].attributes.body
This year we are making badges with our tiny button maker that patrons can earn and add to their lanyards that they get at sign up. We are making them look like scout badges to go with our take on All Together Now, but the buttons can be fit into other themes!

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.thespruceeats.com/candy-sushi-recipe-521299

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This candy sushi recipe makes adorable sushi look-alikes from Rice Krispies, gummy worms, and other pre-made candies! Even so-called sushi "haters" won't be able to resist this cute and delicious candy.

Note that this recipe creates two "types" of sushi, the maki rolls, and the fish-topped nigiri. You can make both, or choose just one type and omit the instructions for the other. As written, the recipe makes approximately 2 dozen rolls and 2 dozen nigiri.

Don't miss the photo guide showing how to make candy sushi!

1. Prepare a 12 by 17 inch baking sheet by lining it with waxed paper and spraying the paper with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Place 2 tablespoons of butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave until melted about 45 seconds.

3. Add 2 cups of miniature marshmallows to the bowl, and microwave until the marshmallows are completely melted, about 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir the mixture until it is completely smooth.

4. Add 3 cups of rice cereal and stir until completely coated. Immediately pour the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, and begin to press the candy into the sheet in a thin layer. Begin working from the edge of the shorter side of the sheet. The mixture will only cover approximately half of the baking sheet.

5. With the short side of the baking sheet nearest you, place a pair of gummy worms an inch from the edge. Place another pair directly below, and repeat until you have a line of worms stretching across the baking sheet.

6. Using the waxed paper to help you, roll the cereal mixture around the gummy worms, pressing firmly to make a tight roll. Take a large sharp knife and cut the log away from the rest of the mixture. Place it off to the side, and repeat the worms/rolling/cutting procedure for the remainder of the cereal.

7. Slice the logs into 1-inch rounds. Wrap each round in a strip of green-colored Fruit Roll-Ups.

8. To make the fish-topped "nigiri," repeat steps 1 to 4 to make the rice candy base, but do not press the rice mixture as thinly. It should be about 3/4 inch thick once pressed into the baking sheet.

9. Cut the candy into rectangles about 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inches. Place a candy fish on top of each rectangle, and wrap a 1/2-inch strip of green Fruit Roll-Up around the entire package.

10. For a finishing touch, decorate your sushi platter to look more authentic. Suggestions include substituting chocolate sauce for soy sauce, green-tinted whipped cream (or melted white chocolate) for wasabi, and thinly sliced pink fish for pickled ginger.​

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This candy sushi recipe makes adorable sushi look-alikes from Rice Krispies, gummy worms, and other pre-made candies! Even so-called sushi "haters" won't be able to resist this cute and delicious candy. Note that this recipe creates two "types" of sushi, the maki rolls, and the fish-topped nigiri.

# data[].attributes.body
We have a "mystery" mosaic poster. The readers earn stickers to add to the poster throughout the summer and try to guess what it will be.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Welcome to StickTogether®: Share a magical moment of community!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
StickTogether™ delivers fun, innovative, collaborative team building activities and products that create community and bring people together!

# data[].attributes.body
Yoga can be a great resource for all ages to express themselves and practice in selfcare, so my library is working with a local mom who's a certified yoga instructor on a kid friendly yoga class!

# data[].attributes.body
We continue all of our early literacy "morning lineup" programming that we do during the school year, but we rethink some aspects knowing that our attendance will be much bigger, and outdoor environments have different challenges. Our patrons expect a full slate of morning programs for young children every week.

# data[].attributes.body
This ASL Stories Directory makes it easy for you to find hundreds of free videos of ASL retellings of favorite books. Research shows that reading and signing stories together helps promote essential literacy skills for ALL children: deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Today, about 11.5 million Americans have some sort of hearing impairment, ranging from difficulty in hearing conversation to total hearing loss. That's about 3.5 percent of the population. In addition, around 50 million of the population experience some level of tinnitus - a constant ringing in the ears.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Statistics About Hearing

A deaf quarterback is credited with the invention of the modern circular football huddle. Read more on this Wikipedia page started by UA students.

The Deaf and the Origin of Hand Signals in Baseball

Deaf Culture Facts That Might Surprise You

Deaf Fun Facts You Need to Know

DEAF HISTORY

April 15, 1817 - The American School for the Deaf, the first public permanent school for Deaf children in the United States, was opened. Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, the school is a nationally renowned leader in providing comprehensive educational programs and services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

April 8, 1864 - Gallaudet University, the first and only higher education institution for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, was founded. Gallaudet, a private federally chartered research university in Washington, DC, is the only university in the world where students live and learn using American Sign Language and English.

A HISTORY OF DEAF RIGHTS, CULTURE, AND LANGUAGE

Encyclopedia Britannica: History of the Deaf includes information dating back to the 16th century.

People and Events in Deaf History

COMMUNICATION

Healthy Hearing: Communication Tips for Talking to People with Hearing Loss

Disability Language Style Guide: Deaf

American Sign Language Classes

NAD's Position on Deaf People in Media

MORE IMPORTANT RESOURCES

National Association of the Deaf

National Association of the Deaf Resources

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders: Quick Statistics About Hearing

American Sign Language Spoken Here - "Before William Stokoe's groundbreaking research, American Sign Language (ASL) was erroneously viewed as a pantomime, a poor substitute for spoken speech. Now ASL is recognized as a language with its own syntax, morphology, and structure." With National Science Foundation grants Stokoe and two of his Gallaudet colleagues created the Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles in 1965. National Science Foundation

Deaf President Now - In March 1988, Gallaudet University experienced a watershed event that led to the appointment of the 124-year-old university's first deaf president. Since then, Deaf President Now (DPN) has become synonymous with self-determination and empowerment for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people everywhere.

How 'Deaf President Now' Changed America - A brief history of the movement that transformed a university and helped catalyze the Americans With Disabilities Act.

D-PAN.TV - In March 2016, Deaf Professional Arts Network, known as D-Pan, launched a go-to source for American Sign Language-related content. The highlight of the network is DTV News, featuring Deaf anchors who share national news in ASL along with captioning and voiceovers. The network also offers a variety of entertainment and educational content produced by and starring some of the biggest names in the Deaf community.

Deaf View/Image Art, also known as De'Via, is art that examines and expresses the Deaf experience form a cultural, linguistic and intersectional point of view.

Museum of Deaf History, Arts and Culture - Located in Olathe, Kansas, the museum exposes visitors to the historical experiences of being Deaf and the numerous contributions of Deaf people to the world.

FILM | TELEVISION | BOOKS

"Deaf U" is a Netflix reality series that follows a group of Deaf and heard of hearing students at Gallaudet University, a private university for the education of deaf and hard of hearing in Washington, DC. Released in the fall of 2020, the series is produced by actor, model and deaf activist Nyle DiMarco.

"Audible" is a 2021 short film documenting a Maryland High School for the Deaf high school athlete. It is available on Netflix.

Documentary: "Through Deaf Eyes" - This two-hour documentary explores 200 years of Deaf life in America and presents various perspectives on being deaf. The film is propelled by the stories of people, both eminent and ordinary, and sheds light on events that have shaped Deaf lives. The film includes interviews with prominent members of the Deaf community, including actress Marlee Matlin and Gallaudet University president emeritus I. King Jordan. Interwoven throughout the film are six short documentaries produced by Deaf media artists and filmmakers.

" CODA," which won an Academy Award for Best Picture and numerous other awards, was the first film to have burned-in subtitles on screen. CODA stands for Child of Deaf Adults. The movie, released in 20201, is about a hearing child in a deaf family who finds herself torn between pursuing her love of music and helping her family's struggling business. CODA is available on Apple TV+

"Sound and Fury" is a documentary that follows the lives of the Artinians, an extended family with Deaf and hearing members across three generations. Together they confront a technological device that can help the deaf to hear but may also threaten Deaf culture and their bonds with each other. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and won the National Board of Review Freedom of Expression Award. The documentary is available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Sling TV and Roku Channel.

"Deaf Jam: ASL Poets in the Spotlight" showcases students who perform in their first American Sign Language Poetry Performance at Lexington School for the Deaf. The documentary is available on PBS.

"A Look into the Deaf Community" is an 8-minute short that shares information on Deaf culture and American Sign Language. It is available on PBS and part of the Rise and Shine series for children on Arkansas PBS.

"The Power of Silence" is a series on PBS that explores deafness and hearing loss through the many different lenses of education, understanding, compassion and technological advances.

"Why Sign Language was Banned in America" is a 12-minute short on PBS as part of the Otherwords series.

View a more extensive list of movies about the Deaf community, including deaf narrative movies and ASL movies and documentaries.

Films to celebrate national Deaf History Month

FAMOUS DEAF & HARD-OF-HEARING ACTORS & ADVOCATES

Sandra Mae Frank - actress and producer, "New Amsterdam"

Marlee Matlin - author, activist, Academy Award-winning actress for "Children of a Lesser God" in 1986, and starred in "Coda" in 2021

Nyle DiMarco - model, actor, activist, first deaf winner on "America's Next Top Model" and "Dancing with the Stars," an executive producer of"," and president of the Nyle DiMarco Foundation

Heather Whitestone - Alabama native and the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss America

Juliette Gordon Low - founder of the Girl Scouts

Derrick Coleman - first deaf offensive player in the NFL and played for the Seattle Seahawks, including in the XVLIII Super Bowl

Lou Ferrigno - actor, bodybuilder, and personal trainer, known for his role as the Incredible Hulk

5 Famous Deaf People Who Changed the World

Famous people with hearing loss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ASL Stories Directory - American Society for Deaf Children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find your child's favorite books in our ASL Stories Directory! Get links to hundreds of free videos of sign language stories your child will love!

# data[].attributes.body
I'll be doing a "Make Your Own Storytime" with wordless picture books. I'll gear it towards 3-5 and have a book per kid (or close) and we'll work together to form the story. Then do some kind of craft.

# data[].attributes.body
Acts of Science with SciStarter at Your Library

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Acts of Science with SciStarter at Your Library Welcome! This page was developed in partnership with the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) to help libraries integrate citizen science into 2026 summer library activities. Check out the 2026 Summer Reading Catalogue, presented by CSLP. SciStarter programs are featured in Chapter 2 pg. 72, Chapter 6 pg. […]

# data[].attributes.body
Unlocking Adventure: Creating Themed Escape Rooms

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unlocking Adventure: Creating Themed Escape Rooms

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Make an escape room that your patrons will love! Learn how you can build escape rooms based on your patrons’ favorite themes.

# data[].attributes.headline
Library Makers: a Community of Leaders and Learners

# data[].attributes.subject
Library Makers: a Community of Leaders and Learners

# data[].attributes.body
Library Makers is a networking group for library staff and volunteers who run maker programs and makerspaces in libraries.

• Connects and supports library maker staff of all levels of experience.

• Equips and advances library professionals to be innovative leaders for library makerspaces.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Newsfeed and Member Chat is a Space in Library Makers. Join us to share your tips, tricks and stories with other members.

# data[].attributes.body
Throughout the year we have been having a passive program were we just put out board games in the children's room for families to play on specific evenings. This summer we are going to try a program to learn specific, more unusual board games that we have access to. (We'll see how that goes!)

# data[].attributes.body
We are hoping to collaborate with the town Senior Services department to have an ongoing letter writing program over the summer where youth correspond with veterans and other seniors in town.

# data[].attributes.body
Adults love prizes too and definitely seem motivated by them to complete a book bingo card in the summer - especially gift certificates for food/restaurants and our local used bookstore, even for small amounts. (And our Friends of the Library who run the bookstore are happy to donate them).

# data[].attributes.body
Picture scavenger hunt around the children's room (we change ours out every month with a different theme and the families LOVE it), spot the difference and "I Spy" displays.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I started doing scavenger hunts in the library back in October and they are such a cheap, easy, and FUN thing for kids to do!

# data[].attributes.body
Fill a jar with objects. Kids submit guesses for how many objects in the jar. Winner gets a prize or raffle entry.

# data[].attributes.body
Applications are closed for summer 2026 but will open again at the end of the year for 2027.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Summer Programming Grants | Department of Libraries

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Each year as part of the statewide Summer Reading Program, the Vermont Department of Libraries distributes grant money through the estate of the Elva S. Smith Trust in support of youth library activities. This non-competitive grant, open to all public libraries, helps support a wide array of programming for children, teens, and families during the summer.

# data[].attributes.body
Help update VLA’s recommended presenters spreadsheet. Submit your recommendation through the Recommended Presenter Submission Form, which then populates their Recommended Presenters, Performers, and Speakers Spreadsheet. Please feel free to add recommended programs here as well!

# data[].attributes.body
Grants in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded to up to seven libraries whose proposals best meet this year’s grant theme focused on the United States 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (2026), the Vermont Statehood 250th anniversary (2027) or both. The application closes at 11:59 pm on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Winnie Belle Learned Fund Grants to Public Libraries | Department of Libraries

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Vermont Department of Libraries invites applications from Vermont public libraries for competitive Winnie Belle Learned Fund Grants (spending period July 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027).

# data[].attributes.body
The Vermont Department of Libraries and Vermont Space Grant Consortium have partnered to invite applications for grants of up to $1,000 to support STEM programming at Vermont public libraries. The objective of this grant program is to increase STEM engagement capacity at the community level across Vermont by providing our public libraries with supplemental funding to deliver high quality programs. Applications are due by 11:59 PM April 17, 2026.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Public Library Grant Program | The University of Vermont

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Applications for the 2026 Vermont Public Library Grant Program are now open! Applications are due by 11:59 PM April 17, 2026. See the details below to apply.

# data[].attributes.body
The Summer Readers grant offers a CLiF presenter who will tell stories, read aloud from books, and share their love of words, reading, and writing at your program site. Every child who participates chooses two books to keep from a wide selection of brand-new children’s books that CLiF sends in advance of the event.

Applications are due by May 18, 2026. We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible to have a better chance of receiving programming and to enjoy greater scheduling flexibility.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Keep kids reading over summer break. CLiF’s grant provides a presenter visit, free books, and literacy resources for your summer program. Open to programs serving kids aged 0-12. Apply early.

# data[].attributes.body
Are you a small public library serving rural populations? Do you have a limited budget and yearn to expand your children’s library collection? If so, check out the CLiF Rural Library Grant for 2026-27 that is designed to create connections between the library and local elementary school. This grant offers a year-long program with new books for the public library and elementary school library, CLiF author/illustrator presentations for local children, book giveaways, and a menu of options for additional support serving youth ages 0-12. Applications due May 25, 2026. https://clifonline.org/rural-library

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Big literacy support for small-town libraries — books, programming mini-grants, and school partnerships. Applications open April 1, 2026.

# data[].attributes.headline
Announcing the Streets as Places Micro-grant Program

# data[].attributes.subject
Announcing the Streets as Places Micro-grant Program

# data[].attributes.body
Local Motion new program to help fund street gatherings in Vermont.

The program, “Streets as Places,” is with the aim of helping Vermonters connect with each other, by offering a small sum of money – $200 to $500 – to help residents hold block parties, neighborhood potlucks, and more.

Applications are due by April 22 and can be found on the Local Motion website.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Vermont’s nonprofit advocate for walking and biking

# data[].attributes.headline
Vermont Humanities Rapid Response Grants

# data[].attributes.subject
Vermont Humanities Rapid Response Grants

# data[].attributes.body
Rapid Response Grants are quick turn-around small grants for humanities-focused community projects. We award Rapid Response Grants of up to $1,000. We do not use federal funding for Rapid Response Grants. All 250th-related projects are eligible for funding and encouraged to apply.
The summer deadline is Wednesday, May 20 2026.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rapid Response Grants - Vermont Humanities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Established in 2020, Vermont Humanities’ Rapid Response Grants are quick turn-around small grants for humanities-focused community projects. We award Rapid Response Grants of up to $1,000.

# data[].attributes.body
3D Dino Templates for displays or programs

# data[].attributes.body
Thingiverse is a thriving design community for discovering, making, and sharing 3D printable things.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Thingiverse - The community for Open Hardware

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thingiverse - The community for Open Hardware