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Program Spotlight: May the Fourth Be With You! Star Wars Day at the Library

Kenya Böes - Events and Programs May 05, 2023

A long time ago in a library far, far away…

Okay, it was actually a short time ago at a library in this very town (hint: it’s us) that held probably one of the greatest events in the galaxy: Star Wars Day. So many of our patrons–and all of our staff–look forward to celebrating this day. It’s just one of those timeless cinematic creations that will remain relevant to pop culture and the kind of program people keep coming back to!

Star Wars Day entails displaying our favorite books and movies from the fandom all around the library, along with screening some of the beloved films. Another popular recurring activity is making miniature lightsabers using boba straws and finger lights! They turned out to be really effective glow-in-the-dark toys, and the kiddos loved them. Lightsaber battles may or may not have ensued. Here are a couple photos of how they turned out:

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We also shot a Star Wars-themed Cookbook Corner video on our YouTube channel hosted by our Garden Programmer Erica (if you haven’t subscribed yet, you need to!). In this episode, Erica gives a step-by-step demonstration on how to make Yalbec Stingers, an appetizer fit for Admiral Snackbar and a recipe taken from the book Star Wars, The Life Day Cookbook: Official Holiday Recipes From a Galaxy Far, Far Away. A little behind-the-scenes footage:

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Click on the link to watch the demo here: https://youtu.be/eKyijc74dZQ

You can also place a hold on the book here.

In addition to that, we filmed two more videos on DIY Star Wars Coasters using cross-stitch patterns with our staff member Sawyer, who shows how to make the cutest little womp rat in the galaxy, Grogu, and a second choice of imperial perfection featuring Darth Vader. Patrons were able to pick up the take-and-make kit supplies at the front desk and learn from the comfort of their own homes!

Click on this link to learn how to cross-stitch Grogu: https://youtu.be/bbA4BxB8IOQ

Or click on this link to master a Jedi-level Darth Vader coaster: https://youtu.be/5zuj6N7SeMY

As always, and even when it’s not May 4th, May the Fourth Be With You! Don’t forget to keep reading books: they’re our only hope ;)

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Program Spotlight: Gotta Catch 'Em All! Pokémon Day at the Library

Kenya Böes - Events and Programs March 10, 2023

If you think that libraries don’t do the most, think again. On March 4th, we hosted arguably the biggest, grandest event at the library that we’ve ever had: Pokémon Day! On this day around the world, fans of the franchise gather to channel their inner Trainer and celebrate the childhood nostalgia and pure fun it brings. With over 1,000 community members in attendance, Pokémon Day at the library became a record-setting program.

The absolute best part? Veronica Taylor came to participate in the excitement. Yes, you read that right. The original voice actor of Ash Ketchum traveled all the way to Conway, Arkansas to do a meet and greet, lead an interview panel, and sell autographed merch. How many libraries can say that?! It’s not very often that celebrities come to the lesser-known parts of the country, and everyone was so ecstatic that she did!

Not to mention we got to partner with some incredible local businesses and organizations that donated supplies and helped us make this day possible: trading card store Trainer J’s, Isabell Creek Face Painting, packaging store Wonder State Box, Kawaii Boba House, and Haynes Ace Hardware.

If you’re a fellow library programmer reading this, an event organizer at your job in need of ideas, or just a patron who missed out on the festivities, here’s a little “virtual tour” of every activity we did for this special day:

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Photo 1: Veronica Taylor herself posing with a patron! Of course Pikachu had to make an appearance too.

Photo 2: Veronica Taylor's autographed merch table! She had conversations with every person in line and wrote their names on the merch!

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Photo 1: Trainers had the chance to win grand prizes in a raffle after they correctly guessed each silhouetted Pokémon on the worksheet.

Photo 2: One of our amazing library volunteers directed new Trainers to all the activities and let them choose swag bags full of goodies.

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Photo 1: Every successful event has a great photo op!

Photo 2: We had a Pokémon gaming table in our juvenile section. These two young Trainers are playing Labyrinth!

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Photos 1 & 2: Patrons who participated in our Pokémon cosplay contest! They were all winners in our book!

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Photo 1: A creative Trainer shows off a completed Pikachu craft! He decided he wanted his Pikachu to be red and blue.

Photo 2: Two talented Trainers enjoy making Pokémon origami after getting their faces painted.

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Photos 1 & 2: Our patrons never ceaze to amaze us with their tiny art skills! Here we have PokéPaintings on mini canvases and paper stand-up centerpieces.

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Photo 1: A Trainer and his mom pose with their Pokémon bingo cards as Veronica Taylor calls out different Pokémon from the stage.

Photo 2: We have a winner!! Actually, more than one! Can you spot them all?

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Photo 1: PokéMaster Trev brought his fantastic Pokémon creations using Perler beads!

Photo 2: A staff member from Trainer J's showcased some of their Pokémon trading cards!

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Photos 1 & 2: Patrons spotted wild Pokémon roaming the stacks and checking out tablets and took snapshots just in time!

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Photo 1: Our staff joined in on the cosplay fun!

Photo 2: Our Pokémon card promos that we made to hand out to patrons prior to the big event!

If you want to see even more awesome photo and video content, go to our Instagram @faulknercountylibrary, where we have a highlight reel just for Pokémon Day. Gotta catch ‘em all, right? So create your own Pokémon-inspired event and give Veronica Taylor a call–she might just come to your city, too!