Staff Picks

Inspiration for Spring Cleaning

Need a lot of pick-me-up this year to kick off your Spring cleaning? Try some of this titles to inspire your creative cleaning flow!   NEXT STOP:   
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Richland Library Main

She Changed Her Name

Many generations work together to reveal how Sojourner Truth fits in our history or herstory.

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Richland Library Eastover

#Brainbreak: Solar S'mores Oven

This week's #brainbreak is all about solar energy. I know...we are supposed to be taking a break from learning, but I promise it will be fun!

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Richland Library Eastover

#BrainBreak - DIY Pop-it Fidget Toy and More!

So, I went down a rabbit hole of Tiktok's full of fidget toy ideas. Some easy and some not. Thus, I thought I would share a few that caught my eye to help you get through those long zoom classes and give you the #brainbreak you oh so deserve.

Staff Picks

Read All About It: Being Mindful & Finding Calm

Being mindful, taking a breath and finding your calm can be challenging on a good day.  Add in busy schedules, family stresses, worries and world events, it can seem impossible--especially for children who haven't mastered self-regulation.  Even good changes like holidays or vacations can make children feel overwhelmed:  
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Richland Library Main

Dishes to Make Date Night Sizzle 🔥

Local Chef David Grillo (Cantina 76) and his wife Cheryl serve up dishes to make date night sizzle at home. Kick off your evening with a traditional Sangria followed by the main course—Arroz Con Pollo.

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Richland Library Main

Let's Talk Race DIY Book Club: Biased

Let's Talk Race DIY Book Clubs bring together the essential components of a good book discussion:  an introduction to share, questions to prompt conversation and further reading. 

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: Grace for President

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (Grace for President)songs and rhymes ( Sunny Day by Elizabeth Mitchell, I Am Special and Young Soul by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo) and activities (Make Your Own Campaign Poster, "If I Were President," Make Your Own "I Voted" Badge & Design Your Own Readers Make Leaders Bookmark)

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Richland Library Northeast

Halloween Egg Hunt: A Social Distanced Trick-or-Treat Tutorial

Keeping our distance doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun! A Halloween Egg Hunt is a playful way to keep the Halloween spirit, whether you organize a neighborhood event or just hide the eggs around your home for the kiddos to find. This two-for-one tutorial is a great craft for kids and preparation for a fun Halloween event!

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: Grandma's Tiny House

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (Grandma's Tiny House:  A Counting Story)songs and rhymes Dos Manitos Diez Deditos and 5 Green & Speckled Frogs) and activities (Counting with Nature, Matching with LEGOs & Number Scavenger Hunt).

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: Back to School: A Global Journey

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (Back to School:  A Global Journey)songs and poems ( Yo Te Amo and There's a Dog in School) and activities (DIY School Accessories:  Homework Caddy, Pompom Bookmark and Paper Bag Book Cover).

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Richland Library Main

Finding Your Character's Voice

One of the hardest parts of the writing process is the blank page staring back at you.  Writing a monologue is a good way to get your creative juices flowing and find your character's voice.  

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Richland Library Southeast

Making Your Way: Plein Air au Maison

Find a view that speaks to you, pick up your pencil, grab some paper and get yourself lost on your own magic carpet ride to somewhere beautiful. 

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Richland Library Main

DIY: Pressed Flowers

From saving wedding bouquet flowers to just clipping a few blooms from your yard, pressed flowers make for an easy way to create beautiful art.

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Richland Library Ballentine

Visible Mending

Do your favorite jeans have a rip? Do you have a shirt you're bored with? Don't throw them out! Learn how to mend and embellish your clothing - and save money, too.

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Richland Library Sandhills

DIY Personalized Notebook for Teens

What's better than colorful notebooks? A personalized colorful notebook! Check out this tutorial for a DIY notebook that costs as little as $1.

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Online

Make Your Own Frog 🐸

Make your own frog in celebration of all the different creatures we get to hear and see during the summer months.

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Richland Library Edgewood

Create Your Own Macramé Hemp Bracelet

Keep the kids busy with this simple activity that requires a minimal amount of materials, does not create a huge a mess and can been done somewhat independently! 

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Richland Library Ballentine

Create Your Own Jump Rope

Jumping rope is an iconic summer activity. It is great exercise and has a long and award-winning history in South Carolina. Follow along with this tutorial to learn how to make your own jump rope out of plastic bags and help save the environment at the same time!

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: Get Up, Stand Up

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (Get Up, Stand Up)songs and poems ( Funga Alafia; Warrior; and I Love You Too) and activities (Making Space: Speak Up; Chalk Your Walk; and Yard Signs).

 

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Richland Library Main

Adventures with Kids: Knee Deep in the Garden

Flowers—even weeds—tell an important story about the climate and ecosystem of an area. These simple activities require very little preparation, but they pack a big learning punch.

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Richland Library Main

DIY Storytime: Tiny T Rex and the Impossible Hug

Curated storytimes that families can share at home with an ebook (Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug), songs (Open Them, Shut Them; Bounce, Tickle, Hug; and I Have a Little Heart) and activities (Mail a Hug; Whose Hug? Game; and Me Too Game).

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Richland Library Main

Sensory Dough Learning Activities

Using sensory dough to promote learning and play at home is easier than you might think. And you probably already have everything you need to get started. 

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Richland Library Main

Create Your Own Sensory Dough

Making sensory dough at home is much easier than you might think, and you probably already have everything you need waiting in your pantry.

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Richland Library Ballentine

Crafty How-To: Canvas and Thread Wall Art

Learn how to make piece of art for your wall! This craft is suitable for anyone who can safely hold a needle and use a ruler!

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Richland Library Ballentine

What Can You Do In Ballentine's MakerSpace?!

What's most important, in my opinion, are the connections between people and their ideas that happen in these spaces. And that you are making a thing - something you can hold and be able to say, "I made this!