Speed Dating with Books!

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Mrs. Brown’s English students spent Tuesday here in the library looking for “dates” with great young adult books. A fun time was had by all, and many of the students went away with a new book to enjoy. Here’s how it worked:

  • I set up seven different tables with different genres or categories of books. 
  • I put together a slideshow  to keep the program going. It included some images, tips, and timers for each of the time intervals. I used this slide to explain how the books were selected:

speed dating with books

  • Next,  I share the rules:

speed dating rules

  • Then, I started some “mood” music, and we began Round 1.
  • Those who didn’t choose a book in Round 1 had three more chances. 
  • Everyone either went away with a book, or with a recommendation list and link to the YALSA Teen Book Finder app for more ideas. Use this QR code to get your own copy of the free app!

teen_bookfinder_app

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See more photos on our Flickr page.

I had so much fun sharing lots of my favorite young adult books with Mrs. Brown’s students. I hope to repeat this activity with other English classes.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Tiffany Whitehead, aka The Mighty Little Librarian, and Gwyneth Jones, aka The Daring Librarian, for the ideas I used to plan this event.

Support Libraries for Everyone!


I’d like to tell you about a campaign in support of libraries that I would like to ask all of you to support by signing the Declaration in the Mira Costa library, or doing so digitally online.  This campaign, Libraries Save Lives, is a national initiative to support the need for quality libraries in all communities throughout the United States. Libraries change lives every day, supporting life-long learning. They are a great equalizer, serving people of every age, education level, income level, ethnicity and physical ability. For many people, libraries provide resources that they could not otherwise afford – resources they need to live, learn, work and govern – and help from skilled staff using those resources.

Unfortunately so many schools and communities lack adequately staffed and stocked libraries, often in places of poverty that need the literacy and technology support the most. Please add your signature to this national campaign to support having strong libraries in every community. I will be gathering signatures over the next few weeks and then sending them to the American Library Association to be delivered to be presented in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May of 2014, during a National Library Legislative Day event. So, please, do come to the library to sign. Alternatively, you can sign online.

We've signed the declaration. Have you? ilovelibraries.org/declaration