Polk County Collaboration for the Win!
Leah Langby
October 7, 2014
Keeping Up With Kids
License-plate etching and awesome collaborative library outreach!

Thanks to Kelly McBride of Osceola for this blog post about some terrific collaborative efforts between the public libraries in Osceola, Dresser and St. Croix Falls.  Thanks to her library partners, Tiffany Meyer at Dresser and Cole Zrostlik at St. Croix Falls.  

Wheels& Wings: Osceola had an upwards of 12,000 people at the event this year. The director of the chamber asked the library to participate and come up with ideas for a Kid’s Zone. I asked Cole and Tiff for help so we pooled our resources and came up with some fun ideas.  We had crafts- 1) planes made from clothes pins, 2) license plate etching, 3) Painting with cars. Kids dipped a car in paint and “drove” to the three libraries on a map Cole created. 
Giant Jenga!
We had games- giant Jenga and another where you flew airplanes through hoops. The Chamber donated hot wheels to give out for prizes.  We provided relaxation- perhaps most appreciated was a chill-out space we created for families to kick back on blankets with some books (car/plane related), play in a sensory box, or play at the train table. We received great feedback from parents who appreciated having a shady spot to get their kids out of the stroller and let them play.  
Taking a break at Wheels and Wings at the sensory box
Second Annual All Library Sports Night: We put on this collaborative party to celebrate the end of the summer reading program. This year we served hot dogs and accompaniments donated by Marketplace Foods and grilled by the Osceola Lion’s Club. Soda was donated by Bernick’s. We had a multiple things going on: lots of hula hooping, games,music and dancing, baseball instruction, and a visit from the Osceola pageant court.  The Dresser Town Hall is not only a great central location but also has volleyball nets, baseball courts, and a playground the kids get to use.  Makes for a great Sports Night! 

Coming up! The Big, Fun Playdate. We have one scheduled in October in Dresser, November in St. Croix Falls, and Jan. in Osceola.

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