On Saturday, Ramsey County Library-Maplewood welcomed over 210 kindergarteners, plus their families, to celebrate receiving their first library card. The Library Card Party has been held annually in Ramsey County since 2008.
Guest author Dawn Quigley delighted everyone by reading an excerpt from her popular "Jo Jo Makoons" book series, talking to the children about her own childhood and career, and signing books brought from home by the kids, or purchased from Black Garnet Books at the party.
While at the library, families also enjoyed a scavenger hunt and had plenty of fun exploring the library in Maplewood and meeting our children's librarians.
Each fall, RCL librarians visit local schools to talk to kindergarteners about the library. An application is sent home with them for a parent or guardian to fill out, requesting a card for their child. Kindergarteners receive an invite to the Library Card Party just after the new year. Children who couldn't make it to the party receive their library card in the mail along with a certificate for a free book.
The Library Card Party is possible thanks to a passionate group of staff and volunteers who help the event run smoothly, the generosity of Ramsey County Library Friends, and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Dawn Quigley contributed two booklists to help all children in Ramsey County celebrate having a library card.