Circus, Circus!

I created the following circus display in the children's area of the public library I managed for 9 years. We didn't have a budget for displays, so I used whatever I had on hand at the library or could find at my house, with the exception of the beach balls, which I picked up at the dollar store. I wish I had better picture of the Big Top, but I strung crepe paper from the ceiling at the middle of the children's area to create the illusion of a circus tent.

I hung a couple of beach balls from the ceiling to make it look like the seals were playing with them and one was balancing it on his nose.

I made the seals from navy blue folders-- you can still see the creases where I unfolded them. I taped them to a book end to stand it up on the table.

I taped half-circles of two different colors of paper around the edges of the three round tables to give them the effect of performing platforms.  In the background, you can see some of the circus theme shelf markers sticking out of the bookshelves-- clown hands and an elephant's snoot. 

I displayed circus theme books on the tables.

Shelf markers - clown feet, a leopard's tail, and the elephant snoot.

More shelf markers: a tiger's paws and tail, and a lion's tail.

A different way to display the tiger paws and tail.

I love the challenge of coming up with creative displays on little or no budget. I've found some amazing things behind stores in town-- display racks, perfectly good materials, etc. You'd be surprised what you can come up with, and it's so much fun to see the children's faces when they come into the library and see an environment that gets them excited about reading.  

April is National Poetry Month

I love the changing seasons-- spring and fall, and with the winter rains, we are experiencing a beautiful wildflower season this year. I found a pastel section of picket fencing for $5.00 at a yard sale, and it made a great backsplash of pastel colors for April's display. I also hung a dish towel from France printed with different types of flowers, another yard sale find that cost all of a quarter.

I recycled the wads of colored paper for the effect of spring flowers dotting the floor, and included poetry books in a basket, scattered among the flowers, and on a little bench.

The wire shelves held several more poetry books, which also promotes the poetry contest our middle schools are currently having.

It's hard to believe this year has flown by so fast. I'm working on the display for the other middle school, which is going to be an undersea scene. I'm taking a leave of absence for the next year, hoping to catch up on my writing. Gonna miss these libraries and creating displays each month.