Costumed Events @ the Library
2013 ULA Spring Conference
“Any costume, whether homemade or bought, simple or sophisticated, can free a child from certain anxieties and inhibitions… a costume can be a passport from trying out new identities, for playmaking and bonding with peers.” (Zingher, 1995)
· Why Costumed Events?
· Study done in Massachusetts resulted in 43% of participants reporting increased positive feelings about the library by 20% or more. (Struzziero, 2012).
· In Miami, an annual cosplay event brings more than 3,000 teens each year. (Scwartz, 2012).
· Costumed events bring patrons that have never stepped into a library before. (Brehm-Heeger, Conway, Vale, 2007)(Hoppe & Wilson, 2012)(Verbeten, 2012)
· Costumes allow youth to channel emotions, cultivate personal identities, inspire creativity, empower shy and bold youth alike, enable play and peer-bonding without judgment, create links to various cultures and times, and free a child from certain inhibitions and anxieties. (Zingher, 1995)
· Books, Authors, and their Characters are Our Rock Stars. They empower us to reach users of all ages and interests and enrich the library experience. (Verbeten, 2012)
Examples
Star Wars
Harry Potter
Anime Cosplay
Superheroes & Princesses
The possibilities are Literally Endless!
How Do You Pull Off a Successful Costumed Event?
· Plan to Dress-up Yourself. Encourage other staff to do the same.
· Enlist Teen Volunteers and encourage them to dress in costume.
· Coordinate with other libraries, the community or civic departments for a larger audience and larger venue.
· Think about events Inside and Outside.
· System Libraries can pool funds to create a Program Box with materials that can be used repeatedly at various locations.
· Request Professional Costumers and/or rent your own costumes or book characters.
o http://costumespecialists.com
· Offer incentives for dressing in costume.
· Contact local business, especially comic book stores and gaming stores, for sponsorship and prizes.
· Get ideas from Library Connection e-mail list-servs.
Bottom of Form
Costuming Groups You NEED to Know
Check Contact Details for Info on how to Request an Appearance. Be understanding that these are all volunteers and are giving their time and efforts for free so check event page for reasonable availability. Group Expectations from You: a secure place to change and store expensive items, instruction on what you want them to do, preference given to events that contain a charity aspect.
Star Wars:
Alpine Garrison: Utah Chapter of the Star Wars
“Bad Guys” www.alpinegarrison.com For other locations: www.501st.com/
Rogue Base: Utah, Idaho, and Montana Chapter of
the Star Wars “Good Guys” www.facebook.com/roguebase
For other locations: www.rebellegion.com/
Krayt Klan: Utah Chapter of the Star Wars
“Mandalorian Mercs.” (Think Bobba Fett)
www.facebook.com/KraytClan
Harry Potter:
The Rocky Mountain Muggles: The Utah Chapter of
the Harry Potter Alliance.
www.facebook.com/TheRockyMountainMuggles For Other locations: http://thehpalliance.org/
Crimson Flyers: University of Utah’s College
Quidditch Team. www.facebook.com/utahquidditch
Ghostbusters:
The Rocky Mountain Ghost Wranglers: Utah Ghostbusters Reenactment group. Provide science and paranormal investigations. Depending on location and event, may have a fee attached. www.facebook.com/rmgw.gb
Star Trek:
U.S.S. Kelly: Parent Chapter of Utah’s Star Trek Chapters. http://www.usskelly.com/
Superheroes:
H.E.R.O.I.C.: Utah Non-Profit Superhero/Video-Gaming/Princesses Costuming Group. www.facebook.com/HeroicInc
Princesses:
H.E.R.O.I.C.: Utah Non-Profit Superhero/Video-Gaming/Princesses Costuming Group. www.facebook.com/HeroicInc
Anime:
J-Pop:
Resources:
· “Anime-TED Event” (2004) American Libraries, 35(11), pg. 22.
· “Back to Hogwarts” (2003) American Libraries, 34(10), pg. 22.
· “Books Personified” (2012) Verbeten, Sharon. Editor’s Note. Children & Libraries: the Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children, 10(3), pg. 2.
· “Cosplay, gaming, and conventions: the amazing and unexpected places an Anime club can lead unsuspecting librarians” (2007) Brehm-Heeger, Paula, Conway, Ann, Vale, Carrie. Young Adult Library Services, 5(2), pg. 14-16.
· “Cure for teen boredom” (2012) Schwatrz, Tina. VOYA, 35(3), pg. 219.
· “Dress up days and costume nights” (1995) Zingeher, Gary. School Library Monthly, 11, pg. 40-42.
· “Dressed for Success” (1995) Lodge, Sally. Publishers Weekly, 242, pg. 27-19.
· “Steampunk Collaboration” (2012) Hoppe, Kelly M., Wilson, Josh. Library Media Connection, 31(1), pg. 24-26.
· “A Superhero: Who, Me?” (2007) Hoppe, Kelly. Library Media Connection, 26(1), pg. 34.
· “Use the Force” (2012) Struzziero, Peter. VOYA, 35(2), pg. 134-135.
· ALA Resources:
o http://www.ala.org/programming/
o Harry Potter Party resources:
o http://www.ilovelibraries.org/articles/featuredstories/potterdays
o http://www.ilovelibraries.org/articles/featuredstories/potternight
o Other Current Program Ideas:
o http://www.ala.org/united/friends/ideasharing/programs
Notes: