Pet Expo
Adults, 60 Mins+, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, Low Cost, Outside Presenter, Outdoors, Multigenerational, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3221 downloads
Pet expo day at the library! This great family program is for anyone who has ever wanted a pet. Invite local rescue organizations to bring adoptable pets and local experts to give pet care tips. You could also modify this program
to focus on the care of unusual pets (such as reptiles or birds), and ask patrons to bring in their unusual pets for show and tell. For an expo-style event, guest organizations set up information tables for participants to peruse
at their leisure; they could also give short presentations. You can tailor the program to focus on adoption tips, pet health and nutrition, pet first aid, and/or pet training.
Backyard Animal Farming
Adults, 60 Mins+, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, Low Cost, Outside Presenter, Outdoors, Multigenerational, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3206 downloads
A guest speaker teaches participants how to care for backyard animals such as chickens, rabbits, ducks, goats, or bees. If possible, they bring live creatures for demonstration. Check with local regulations (zoning, animal welfare, public health, and nuisance laws) to confirm what types of backyard animals are allowed within your municipality or county. Remember the book display on small animal farming and/or homesteading!
Career Dogs
45 - 90 Mins, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Adults, Low Cost, Outreach, Outdoors, Outside Presenter, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2824 downloads
Search and rescue dogs, K9 units, and therapy dogs! A local organization presents about working dogs’ jobs and training process. Ideally, they also bring dogs to demonstrate some of their working tasks and/or commands. Be sure to ask them to talk about volunteer opportunities suitable for teens. Can be modified for any age group.
Skype A Scientist
60 Mins+, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Children, Outside Presenter, Low Cost, STEAM
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2423 downloads
Children learn from animal scientists during a Skype interview! From the Skype a Scientist website, choose from almost any kind of scientist, including zoologists, ecologists, marine biologists, evolutionary biologists, veterinarians,
and paleontologists. Before the interview, consider reading a book related to your topic. Then lead a quick discussion to generate questions that the children might want to ask. If you have time, include a craft or experiment after the interview. For example, if you have a scientist discuss working with bats, do a simple bat craft and/or echolocation experiment. Or pass out coloring sheets to complete in the library or take home. You can tailor the content to any age group. The recommended donation for an interview is $1.
Teen Volunteer Fair
60 Mins+, Low Cost, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Children, Outreach, Outside Presenter, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2927 downloads
Match teens with animal-related volunteer opportunities in your area, such as humane societies, animal shelters, or even veterinarian offices! Local organizations could give presentations about the work they do, then set up behind tables around the room with more information about how to start volunteering. This could also be a fully passive program in which you display local volunteer opportunities and information cards/flyers for teens to take.
Ask Me About Wildlife Conservation
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Outside Presenter, STEAM, Low Cost
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2024 downloads
A library take on the popular Reddit AMA* (Ask Me Anything), this is a chance for participants to ask their burning questions of local animal conservationists (or any animal experts). Host one expert to give a presentation with a Q&A, or host a panel moderated by library staff or a community volunteer. For a passive component, make a comment box for patrons to submit questions beforehand. Adapt to your patrons’ interests and available time/space.
A Horse Is A Horse Of Course
Adults, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, 60 Mins+, Outreach, Multigenerational, Low Cost, Outside Presenter, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2583 downloads
Invite trainers and/or horses from a local horse rehabilitation group to talk about horse rehabilitation. Teens get meaningful exposure to these beautiful animals and learn about how they might get involved. This could be an educational event, an opportunity to raise awareness and find volunteers, or a multigenerational program.
Eons Making Prehistory
60 Mins+, Game/Activity, Chapter 2 The Wild Side, Low Cost, Outside Presenter, STEAM, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2451 downloads
See prehistoric life in virtual reality! Or choose short videos about the earliest life on earth from the PBS Eons YouTube channel. Optionally, let teens destress with prehistoric coloring sheets while watching the videos.
Creepy Crawlies
Adults, Chapter 2 The Wild Side, Children, Low Cost, 45 - 90 Mins, Outside Presenter, STEAM, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2714 downloads
An insect expert gives a presentation with a Q&A period and an interactive component. Your local Audubon Society branch may have free information packets about insects, and you could hold a show-and-tell event for patrons who have pet insects. Can be adapted for any age group or run as a multigenerational program.