Since The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has crossover A/YA appeal, we listed programming ideas that could be modified for use with teens or adults. Please leave any program suggestions or comments on the OBNJ Message Board!
Visits from Mathematicians.
- David Marain, recently retired supervisor of mathematics at Ramapo High School offers 45-minute lectures on prime numbers in the North Jersey area. His fee is $75.00 within Bergen County and $100.00 to visit other libraries within a general 25 mile radius. Contact: 201-791-3118.
- Contact your local community college or other educational institute and invite a local mathematician to discuss the wonder of numbers and how they are used in the real world.
Math-a-thon.
Using books like The Monty Hall Problem and Other Puzzles by Ivan Moscovich, hold a math-themed contest challenge.
Unsolved Mysteries.
Contact your local police department and ask a detective or a team of investigators do a presentation on local mysteries, solved or unsolved. Or ask your local police force to conduct a workshop about keeping yourself and your home safe and secure.
Movie & Book Discussions.
- Host a movie night with old Sherlock Holmes films and discuss Sherlock Holmes novels or other mystery series.
- The NJ Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC) - now AutismNJ - produced a 3-part DVD series called Untapped Potential: New Jersey Adults on the Autism Spectrum, available to the general public. The series examines the employment, residential, and services needs of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Hold a discussion about the rise of autism in NJ and the opportunities available to NJ families affected by ASD.
Christopher Boone Quiz Show.
Christopher knows all the countries of the world and their capitals. Run a trivia contest (in print or online) of world capitals. Alternatively, provide participants with clues and let them look up the capitals using library resources. You can also ask questions about prime numbers.
Objective/Point-of-View Writing Workshop.
Christopher's mind is very logical and unclouded by emotion. Choose a piece of writing you enjoy. How would it be different if Christopher wrote it?
Read to a Dog.
Many organizations with therapy dogs will allow animals to participate with the children and teens at your library. TheraPet, Inc. in Clark, NJ has information at www.therapet-inc.com; contact: info@therapet-inc.com.
Animal Rescue Program.
Christopher loves animals more than people. Invite a local shelter to hold a fundraising program at your library. Often they will bring an animal with them and you can collect canned food and blankets for homeless pets.
April is National Autism Awareness Month.
- Donate library fines during the month of April.
- Encourage autistic individuals to volunteer at the library.
- Display artwork by autistics.
- Provide webliographies and bibliographies to help improve the knowledge and awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- For more suggestions: www.autism-society.org.
Speakers and Presentations on Autism Spectrum Disorder
