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


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! 




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