The demise of the Library Reading Divas

Sadly, until further notice, the Library Reading Divas will no longer be donning their fabulous vintage formal wear, their plastic rhinestone-studded tiaras, and their diva-status sashes. The Reading Divas have gone into retirement.

We hope you were able to catch their book cart routine in one of the many parades they participated in over the past few years.

The Library Reading Divas thank their many fans for their smiles and their shouts of "I LOVE the library!".

Perhaps in the future the Library Reading Divas can be convinced to do a reunion tour, but until then they leave you with their famous "Shhhhhhhhhh!"

How to join the MELSA Library Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team

The Reading Divas are gearing up for 2008. We've been having too much fun to keep it all to ourselves, so we wanat you to join us!

If you're involved with a MELSA library system - Anoka County; Carver County; Dakota County; Hennepin County; Minneapolis Public; Ramsey County; Saint Paul Public; Scott County; and Washington County - you're invited to help the MELSA Library Reading Divas spread the message about libraries!

If you're interested send a message to libraryreadingdiva [at] gmail [dot] com with your name, library system, and email address and we'll notify you as appearances for 2008 are confirmed. You can choose the events to participate in based on your schedule.

Don't forget to put a tiara on your holiday wish list!

Pimp my Bookcart contest winners

Have you seen the winners of the second Pimp my Bookcart contest? If not, click here. Some very cute and creative ideas.

C'mon divas! Let's put on our thinking tiaras and come up with a creative way to pimp out one of our bookcarts for next year's parades.

MELSA Library Reading Diva Update

The MELSA Library Reading Divas (and Dudes) are beginning to plan for their 2008 appearances.

Nothing has been confirmed yet but some possible 2008 appearances:

• The St. Paul Winter Carnival torchlight parade (Feb.),
• a performance at the 2008 PLA conference (March),
• the Flint Hills Children's Festival ArtMoves parade and stage performance (June)
• the Aquatennial Parade (Aug.)

How to become a part of the popular MELSA Library Reading Diva (or Dude) book cart drill team

• No experience necessary. Do you have a sense of humor? Do you love libraries? Do you want to promote libraries in a fun and unique way? Then this is for you.
• If you work in a library that is part of MELSA you are eligible to participate.
• Divas - You provide your own tiara and gown. Children's tiaras work well as they are large and visible. A wide variety of gowns can be found at thrift stores through out the Twin Cities.
• Dudes - Your provide your own crown and attire - suit coat, tux, etc. You can purchase crowns at costume shops (such as Twin City Magic located in downtown St. Paul)
• Attend one practice session at the beginning of the season, especially if the Divas will be doing a stage performance.
• Contact the Diva coordinator via email to be added to the contact list (sharon dot madsen at co dot dakota dot mn dot us).
• Bookmark or subscribe to this blog's feed as updates will be added through out the year.

Divas in the Children’s Storybook Parade Sunday, Sept. 30

The last MELSA parade of the season is almost here. The Children's Storybook Parade kicks off an afternoon of family-fun festivities as the St. Paul Public Library celebrates 125 years!

Details for the participating Library Reading Divas

• 11 a.m. (or so) - meet at the loading dock entrance to the Central Library, on the Kellogg street side.
• Change into Diva gowns, sashes and tiaras; grab a decorated book cart
• 11:20 a.m. - leave Central Library to walk three blocks to the parade staging area (Between Cedar and Wabasha.)
• 11:30 a.m. to noon - practice routine and Diva wave
• 12 noon - parade begins; Parade route: Along 4th Street, starting at Wabasha Street and ending at Rice Park (across from St. Paul Public Library) in downtown St. Paul
• Return carts to SPPL, remove decorations, change into non-diva wear and say goodbye to a summer of successful Diva parade appearances.

NOTE: The parade will be cancelled if it rains.

You might want to bring the whole family and make a day of it. There are lots of activities planned to keep you busy from 1 to 5 p.m. Check out The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library's web site for details.

Divas On the Move at the 2007 Aquatennial Parade

(Click on the photo to go to the Flickr account where you can view more photos of the Divas in action! )

Photos from the ArtMoves Parade

Found a few photos from the Art Moves parade and performance on Tracy's blog. Enjoy!