Bulletin Boards & Decorations

Use these suggestions to transform your library and inspire your patrons!

• Cave Paintings: Wad up paper bags and adhere them to the wall to give the rough effect of a stone wall. Have the children draw/paint animals, daily events, etc. --Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Assoc.
• Build a Dinosaur Skeleton: For every book they read, kids will receive a cut-out paper bone. They can write their name on it and attach it to the wall. Eventually, all the bones can be connected to create a dinosaur skeleton. --Sue Hartley, Cheshire Public Library
• Make a Mummy: Wrap volunteers in toilet paper, much like a mummy, and take pictures for bulletin board.
• "Vacation in the ancient world" - Have kids pretend they are vacationing in an ancient culture (eg., 7 wonders of the world) and draw a postcard from this locale.
• Build an Archaic house. --Easton PL
• "Guess how many dinosaur eggs are in the jar" contest. --Kitty Lyons, Westport PL
• Create a giant bulletin board of coloring projects for young patrons to color in throughout the summer - perhaps an ornate sarcophagus with hieroglyphics. --Deborah White, Pequot Library, Southport
• Crystal Gardens - Start this as a display project at the beginning of the SRP and watch them grow during the summer. Supplies:
  6 tbs Salt
  6 tbs Liquid bluing
  6 tbs Water
  1 tbs Ammonia
  Combine salt, bluing, water and ammonia. Pour over small pieces of rock or coal in a shallow GLASS or CHINA bowl. Drip food coloring on top if desire. Crystals will begin to grow soon. Add water occasionally to keep crystals growing. Place dish on tray or wooden board as crystals grow over sides of bowl. --Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association
• Stalactites and Stalagmites:Start this as a display project at the beginning of the SRP and watch them grow during the summer. Supplies:
  Two glass jars (Baby food or small mason jars will do)
  Water
  Epsom salts
  String (long enough to fit in both jars)
  Small weights (metal washers will work)
  Plate
  How To Make It: Fill the two jars with warm water. Mix in Epsom salts until no more will dissolve. Wet a piece of string and tie a weight to each end. Drop one end of the string into each jar. Put a plate between the two jars with the string hanging over the plate. Check your 'cave' daily to see if Stalactites and Stalagmites are forming. Notes: Stalactites hang on tight to the ceiling of a cave. Stalagmites are very strong and stand up on the floor of caves. --Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association