 | Janice Alpert, Library Media Specialist at Lynnfield High School Blind Date with a Book...Speed Dating...Makerspace Chocolate-Making As a high school library media specialist, I am continuously seeking ways to spark excitement in high school students about reading, books and the library media center. I strive to make the activities and displays fun, educational, and eye-catching enough to get them to avert their eyes from their phones and perhaps even pop out an airpod. |
Blind Date with a Book
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I created a “Blind Date with a Book” display. I chose a variety of books with different genres and wrapped them in red paper and bakery string. I used descriptions from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and I made sure to include the barcode number on the description tag to make the checkout process easier.
 | I used Canva to create signage and images for the library Instagram and Twitter accounts to publicize the book display. |  |
Speed Dating with a Book
The other activity that has been extremely fun and successful is Speed Dating With a Book. I must credit Waltham High School Library Media Specialist, Reba Tierney with this idea. My daughter came home from Waltham High so excited to tell me about her speed dating adventures with her English class in the library. The next day, I had two different English teachers approach me with ideas about independent book reading projects for their classes. Once presented with the idea of speed dating with a book, both teachers were extremely excited about the idea.
The library tables were set with pink tablecloths and adorned with fake rose petals, battery operated candles, and chocolate kisses. I created a google doc and then printed it out double sided on pink and purple paper. Students had eight different dates with books and rotated through the tables every 4 minutes. 80’s love songs were blasted while the students speed dated. The music would stop when it was time to change tables. At the end of the eight rotations, the students checked out one of the books that they had enjoyed meeting. The students seemed to really enjoy the activity and appreciated the music and the ambiance.
Makerspace Chocolate-Making Class
Finally, this year, we are hoping to bring back our LHS Makerspace chocolate-making class. One of our staff members generously volunteers to teach students and staff how to decorate cookies, pretzels, and fruit with melting chocolate and all the accouterments. We also discuss the chemistry of chocolate while everyone is feasting on their treats. The hope is that through these displays and activities, the LHS staff and students fall in love with books, reading and the LHS library.
