Blind Date with a Book

Everyone is doing Blind Date with a Book displays these days. I myself did one last year at the middle school library, and this year I decided to continue the tradition at my public library.  The difference, though, is in the range of ages I serve.  At the middle school, my patrons were 7th and 8th graders or teachers. Now that I am at public library, my patrons range from newborns to recently-graduated teens. I need to provide programming for all of our youth, not just the ones reasonably old enough to be dating.

So I did create a blind date with a book display for the teen area. Teens can pick up a pink or red wrapped book, check it out, read it, and fill out the enclosed review card. If they return the card, they have a chance to win a prize.

I didn't want to leave the kids out of this opportunity, but I didn't think many parents would want their 2-year old or 9-year old "dating," so I created the idea of a super secret book.  The "super secret books" are the same as blind date books - they are wrapped in pink or red paper and have an enclosed review card. The kids can still review them and return the review card for a prize.  But these books are picture books, early chapter books, middle grade books - all things easily accessible to kids. And even if you can't tell what book it is based on the mysterious description provided, you can still guess about what level it's at based on the size and shape.

The adults at my library are also doing blind date with a book, so this means the entire family can participate, and I have seen several families come in and choose books for everyone. I am glad there are ways I can involve kids in what is normally an adults-only activity.

What kinds of things have you done at your library to tie families and patrons of all ages together in one activity?