Celebrating Día 2012

Thank you to today's guest blogger, Lise Tewes, Children’s Services Coordinator at Erlanger Branch, Kenton County Public Library, KY. Lise was named a Día Dynamo  in 2011.

I am fortunate to have been mentored by a wonderful Children’s Librarian, Sara Howrey, who really set the bar and got the ball rolling for Día celebrations in the Greater Cincinnati area. Sara’s vision, which included partnerships with up to 7 different library systems and even more community partners, still drives our celebrations today, although on a somewhat smaller scale.

Our Día celebration this year will occur at the Erlanger Branch Library on Sunday, April 29, from 1-4 p.m. My library, the Kenton County Public Library, continues to partner with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County to produce a joint celebration. We trade locations each year, and this year, it is my turn to be the host location. Last year, we had a wonderful celebration at the Madeira Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, as is evident by these photos:

 

Our event this year, at the Erlanger Branch  in Kenton County, Kentucky, will feature Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer!  We are actually able to have Dora the Explorer for the whole weekend, so on Saturday, April 28, Dora will go to the neighboring counties and be part of their Día celebrations.  Campbell County Public Library  will have Dora appearances from 12-1:30 p.m. on April 28, and then the Boone County Public Library will have Dora appearances from 2-4 p.m.  Dora will be at our Library on Sunday from 1-4 p.m.  The three Libraries – Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties – divided up the cost of Dora the Explorer so that it was affordable for all of us.  We think that Dora’s appearances at all three of our events will really make an impact and bring a lot of recognition and attendance to our events. 

In addition to appearances by Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer, we are also going to have craft and information tables sponsored by 6 community partners, including the local elementary school.  There will be International Storytime, featuring the book Splash being read in 10 different languages.  There will be 500 free Dora the Explorer books for children.  We have a group of Filipino dancers coming to do their traditional tinikling dance.  Another group will perform authentic folk dances from Mexico.  Face painting and piñatas will be available.  Without a doubt, we are looking forward to a wonderful celebration for Día’s 16^th Anniversary!