DIVAS - we will not march in the Torchlight Parade

I know you’re disappointed about not marching in the Torchlight parade looking like a frozen fur ball topped with a tiara. However, it was determined that it is too cold for the Divas to participate in this parade.

Please, please, please mark your calendar for the summer events! Let’s see if we can get two dozen librarians and library workers to be Divas at the Flint Hills (June 2) and Aquatennial parades next summer.

Thanks to all of you who did volunteer! If the weather would have cooperated we would have ROCKED!!!

Thank you to the Reading Divas in the Grande Day parade

A big THANK YOU to the Chosen Frozen Few who showed up to participate in the 2007 Winter Carnival Grande Day parade!



One member from each unit marched behind the color guard carrying the American flag. It was an impressive sight to see the flags flying boldly while little children waved their small flags and adults stood with their hands over their hearts.

The banner carriers fought against strong winds through out the parade route to keep it in position so that the parade goers could see we were the MELSA public library Reading Divas.

Grande Day Parade - parade route map

I'm reposting this information as the parade is only a few days away.

Grande Day Parade starts on 5th and Cedar, goes 3 1/2 blocks west to Washington, 1 block south to 4th St, and then 3 blocks east to Wabasha.--7 1/2 blocks total.


http://www.winter-carnival.com/events/event_details/grande_day_parade/

The parade route was also published in the Sunday, January 21, edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Harriet Island Map and Parking

Thanks to Kristi and Julie (and maybe Anne) who volunteered to be at the kid's activity tent on Harriet Island before the parade as READING DIVAS. They will be handing out cool free library stuff.

If you are planning on going to Harriet Island before or after the parade you many want to consider usig nthe free shuttle service.

Skyway map of the downtown area

Here is a map of the skyway system in the downtown area. I plan on parking somewhere on the east end of the city (maybe Union Depot parking ramp off of Kellogg) and walking to our line up area via the skyway. A more experience parade attender (from the St. Paul Clown Club) mentioned that he typically parks in the Farmer's Market lot (free, I think) and walks to the parade route because it is easier to leave the downtown area after the parade.

Library Reading Divas CHANT for the Winter Carnival parade

Thanks again to Anne for the parade chant that she came up with (and she says with "apologies to Queen and Rob Reid.)

Rhythm: slap legs twice, clap hands once (think high school pep rally)

Chorus:
We Will, We Will Read Books!
We Will, We Will Read Books!

Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go when you've got to know?!
Come on over, the card is free,
To the place, the LIB-RA-RY!

Chorus:
We Will, We Will Read Books!
We Will, We Will Read Books!

Want some books? Need to know?
We are the place you've got to go!
The very place you should be,
The only one, the LIB-RA-RY!

Save the dates! The Reading Diva's presense requested at these events

The Library Reading Divas are invited to participate in this year's Art Moves parade, which will be held on Saturday, June 2. This is part of the Flint Hills International Children's Festival 2007. Their theme this year is "My Art Speaks from the Heart" and our Summer Reading Program theme is "Go Bananas at your library" so let's get creative and think about how we can tie the two together for this parade!

The Library Reading Divas are invited to participate at a MELSA event at the Como Zoo on Thursday, June 14.

As usual, when I receive more details I will pass them along.

Winter Carnival Parade Route

Anne found the parade routes.

Grande Day Parade starts on 5th and Cedar, goes 3 1/2 blocks west to Washington, 1 block south to 4th St, and then 3 blocks east to Wabasha.--7 1/2 blocks total.

http://www.winter-carnival.com/events/event_details/grande_day_parade/

Torchlight Parade starts on 6th and Minnesota--goes 3 blocks east on 6th to Sibley, one block south to 5th then 3 blocks west to Minnesota. 7 blocks total.

http://www.winter-carnival.com/events/event_details/2007_torchlight_parade/

It should be fun! Hopefully not freezing cold!

The SIMPLE Routine for the Parade is done!

This routine is so simple that five to ten minutes before the parade begins is all that will be needed for practice!

The library "chant" words are being worked on also (thanks Anne). This too will be very simple and a great opportunity for us to interact with the parade goers. Anne suggested we turn to them and say something like "c'mon! help us out!"

I'll write the book routine here, but until you see it, it probably won't make much sense.

We'll walk in three lines with three or four divas in each line. For most of the parade we'll walk, wave and shout out the library chant.

WHISTLE (signals to get into formation for the routine)

• Form a circle (facing one in - so we are looking at one another)
• Remove the book from your book bag
• On the count of four turn out (facing the parade goers)
• Shout "CHECK OUT!" and open your book
• Step KICK, step KICK, step KICK, step KICK (in place with your book open)
• Shut the book
• Pass the book to the Diva on your right
• Shout "CHECK IN"
• Turn to the left (your left shoulder is in the circle)
• With your right hand (where you're holding the book), make a large sweeping motion over your head bringing the book to the inside of the circle.
• Ripple out with the book - one at a time with a large sweeping motion bring the book back over your head to the outside
• Ripple in with your book - one at a time
• Turn to face the parade goers
• Shhhhhhh!

Continue walking. On paper, it looks more complicate than it is. It goes fast and of course we're Divas so if it isn't perfect we don't care!

And thanks to Anne and Linda who came up with the routine (and thanks to Cindy at SCL who suggested an "Ester Williams" type move.)

Line up information for the Grande Day and Torchlight Parades

Hey Divas!

I just received an email with some information for both the Grande Day and Torchlight Parades. Only two more weeks!

The information here is a bit incomplete and once I speak directly with our parade liaison I will add more details.

I will be sending all of you the attachments I received that show where we line up as well as where we enter our staging area.

• You need to enter the barricaded area on our assigned street (E. 6th Street)
• When entering the staging area, only take direction form the St. Paul Police Department or parade staff with "official" IDs around their neck.
• The line up time is the time that you enter the staging area. It is important that you be on time.
• Let's try and arrange carpooling among us so we don't all need to drive and park downtown.

Grande Day Parade
Saturday, January 27

• We are unit number 88 and listed as MELSA Metro Public Libraries
• Line up time is 12:50 p.m.
• Our staging area is on E. 6th Street - corner of E. 6th Street and Minnesota (by TCF and the Radisson)

Torchlight Parade
Saturday, February 3

• We are unit number 77 and listed as MELSA Metro Public Libraries
• Line up time is 5:20 p.m.
• Our staging area is on E. 6th Street - corner of E. 6th Street and Wabasha (by EcoLab)

Looking for faux fur coats and capes for the Winter Carnival parade

Hey Divas!

Time to beg, borrow, or steal a faux fur coat or cape for the Winter Carnival parade! (Well, don't steal one okay?)

We decided in keeping with the Diva theme of long gowns and tiaras that a faux fur coat would be a better outer covering for this parade than our regular winter coats and jackets.

Faux fur works great, but an old vintage fur coat would be mighty fine also.

I am sewing the finishing touches on a faux fur (silver fox) swing coat that I will probably wear. I may have a vintage mink coat in my closet also. If so, I'll let you know in case someone needs one.

In the meantime, who do you know that might have a coat or cape you could borrow for two parades. A co-worker? A friend? An aunt or cousin? Your sister or mother?

Let's see what we can come up with to keep us warm and looking like true LIBRARY READING DIVAS at the same time.

Reading Divas participating in the Winter Carnival Parade

To date, here is the list of Divas signed up to participate in the parade. If you've volunteered, but you're not listed, please let me know right away. And be sure to pass along the parade information to anyone else who may be interested.

• Linda -DCL
• Anne - DCL
• Laura - DCL
• Kris - DCL
• Jen - DCL
• Beth - DCL
• Sharon - DCL
• Mary - HCL
• Karen - SPPL
• Kristi - RCL

The Reading Divas and the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parades

Wow! It's almost parade time. Seems as if we registered for this parade only yesterday!

We gotta get going Divas...get our routine fine tuned and figure out our Winter Diva Wear. It looks as if we will march in this parade sans book carts, which changes the dynamics of course. Diva Anne, Diva Linda, and Diva Sharon will meet Thursday, Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. to work out a book routine and chant. Any diva that is scheduled to be in one of these parades is welcome to attend.

Two practice time will be scheduled - one next week and one the following week. Then its parade time!

King Boreas Day Parade
Saturday, January 26 27, 2007
Begins at 2 p.m.

Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Begins at 6 p.m.

I'll advise line up times and locations for both parades as soon as they are given to me.

Another successful appearance by the Library Reading Divas

Five Library Reading Divas (Laura, Linda, Kris, Jen and Sharon) arrived bright and early for the Macy's media event in downtown Minneapolis. They were on hand to help Macy's and MELSA announce the new Minnesota museum Adventure Pass presented by Macy's program.

Instead of their usual formalwear, the Divas were attired in the business suits complete with the white "Reading Diva" sash and, of course, their tiaras. They greeted the guests as they arrived and spent time mingling in the crowd. All of the Divas had their photos taken and had opportunities to explain what a Library Reading Diva is and what they do. Diva Laura and Diva Linda spend some time talking to Minnesota Monthly, so who knows? Maybe those two will have their photo in the magazine.

We even got to kick-off the event! After a half hour of coffee and morning appetizer, the Divas stepped on stage and "shhh-ed" the audience. After a few "shhhhhs", the crowd quieted down and Bill Sprattler, Macy's store manager, joked to the crowd that he hadn't been "shhh-ed by a librarian since I was eight!"

The Divas took the stage again when Sally Lederer, with MELSA, was introduced. After some vamping by the Divas when Sally explained why they were there, the Divas left the stage and stood nearby as Sally introduced the new, exciting program that will begin September 7. The program will allow library card holders to go to their library and "check out a museum!"

After the speakers were done, the Divas moved to the exit and handed out a notepad that looked like an old library checkout card and thanked everyone as they left.

Another crowd-pleasing appearance by the Library Reading Divas.

What a fantastic group of volunteens at the Rosemount Parade!

Temps in the mid-90s and a heat index of 102 degrees, didn't stop the Library Reading Divas from participating in the annual City of Rosemount parade!

Three volunteens arrived to help decorate the carts and to learn the book cart drill team routine.




The Bookmobile was one of the last entries in the parade, so there was a lot of hurry up and wait going on, but that didn't stop these Divas from smiling! Finally, almost an hour after the parade began, it was our turn. Four of the Divas pushed the carts, while other Divas passed out candy to the parade goers and spritzed the Divas with water to help them keep their cool during the parade.

The group, led by veteran Divas Laura and Linda, marched in front of the Bookmobile, stopping on occasion to perform the ever popular pinwheel book cart maneuver, complete with a surprise "shhhhh" to the audience!

As usual, a Library Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team was a hit with the parade goers.

Macy's Media Event - changes and updates

More changes are underway for the Library Reading Diva's appearance at the August 17 media event. Remember, the media event is the announcement of the new Museum Adventure Pass program that will be available at all metro area libraries in early September and only the media will be invited to this one.

While the Library Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team concept peeked Macy's interest, there was a concern raised that the our formalwear "costumes" will not be instantly recognizable as LIBRARIAN and LIBRARY.

Sally, with MELSA, is meeting with them again early next week and will pitch our new idea of being dressed in stereotypical librarian attire (skirt suit or blouse and skirt, reading glasses and hair pulled into bun) to see if this would work.

I've always thought that part of the message we want to convey with the formalwear and the Library Reading Divas is "look at libraries and librarians in a new way!" We all know that we offer so much more than books! It would have been fun to continue with the "diva" theme for the media event, but I think we can make this other look fun also.

Will keep you posted as I hear more information!

Another Thank You From Festival Organizers!

In my opinion - they are a class act! I am amazed at how much fun they were to work with and how appreciative they were of our participation.

Each and every one of you helped the Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team to sparkle! You all rock!

Updated DCL Summer Parade Information

I'm reposting this message from Diva Linda with updated information for the Hastings Rivertown Days parade - which is this Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m. - and the Rosemount Leprechaun Days parade - which is coming up fast! It is Saturday, July 29 at 11 a.m.

If you want to volunteer, but don't wish to participate in the drill team - well, we have tasks for you too! We always need two people to carry the banner announcing who we are! And we could use someone to carry the megaphone to call out greetings and to lead the drill team. Or we could use a Diva or Dude to assist in handing out candy. Or we could have a Diva or Dude walking along side the Bookmobile greeting the crowd with waves and smiles. There's plenty to do so join us!

Greetings from Diva Linda! I have gotten quite a few phone calls and names of volunteens that want to be a part of our fabulous drill team. That is SO exciting! I would like to take a moment to mention some of the "housekeeping" for being a part of the drill team.

If you are interested in representing the library at any of the parades, please contact me. I gave you my contact information in the email messages and letters I sent to you. (I will try to answer any call "live" from 7-3:30 p.m. or leave a message 24/7 on voicemail.) If you're not sure how to get ahold of me, you can always ask your contact at the library where you signed up as a volunteen.

What do you wear for the parades? A formal or suit would be great for a diva or dude. Nothing expensive or special. Most of our gowns were bought at Goodwill. We do have some gowns that could be worn on the day of the parade. Call and check on availability a few days before the parade. We also have extra tiaras and sashes to wear as well. Otherwise, a white t-shirt and khaki pants or shorts would be appropriate.

What should you bring? Be sure to bring water and sun block (sun glasses?) as well as a smile and enthusiasm! We are representing the Dakota County Libraries.

What will you do in the parade? We will be walking the length of the parade in front of the bookmobile. We will smile and wave 'royally' at the masses gathered to catch a glimpse of us and may also PASS out candy (divas never, ever THROW candy) or carry a banner announcing that we are representing the library.

Remember, these are volunteer hours that you could use for church, school, scouts, etc. !!! We had one volunteen who volunteered as a Diva a few years ago that actually received some scholarship money for college because they were impressed with the way she choose to volunteer and do outreach to the community.

Here is the most updated schedule that we have for this summer's parades.

2006 Parade Dates
For the volunteer Reading Divas and Dudes Book Cart Drill Team

Hastings Rivertown Days Parade
Saturday, July 15
7 p.m. parade starts
Meet at the Hastings Library at 6 p.m. and ride on the Bookmobile to the parade route! The Bookmobile leaves at 6 p.m. sharp so if you're not there you'll need to meet us at the parade route.

Our unit number is 99 and we will enter the parade route on 15th Street (off of Highway 61).

The parade begins at 7 p.m. and it is a loooooooong parade - One Mile Long! - so please be sure to bring water and comfortable walking shoes.

Call the Hastings library or Linda if you have questions on the ending location of the parade.

Rosemount leprechaun Days Parade
Saturday, July 29
11:00 a.m. parade starts
10:30 a.m. line up

This community loves the library! And we love them! It is a very heavily attended parade and we want to have a huge number of Reading Divas and Dudes at this parade so please consider being a part of this one! The line up location is in the parking lot of the Rosemount High School. The lot can get very hard to get in and out of, and has very limited parking, so you may want to be dropped off or park elsewhere and walk to the line up location. The parade ends at the middle school.

Inver Grove Heights Days Parade
Saturday, September 9
11:00 a.m parade starts

More details will follow as we get them.

Another successful parade for the DCL Reading Divas

The weather this past Saturday turned out to be the perfect weather for a parade! Sunny, low 80s with a warm, gentle breeze. This parade is the shortest one of the season - only two blocks long - but filled with "throngs of well-wishers lining the streets" (per Diva Linda).

Three Library Reading Divas, along with Princess D. Clown, marched in front of the library's Bookmobile pushing their book carts abnd waving to the crowd. They also performed a few drills to the crowd's delight. The pinwheel maneuver, as usual, resulted in cheers and loud clapping to which the Divas turned to the crowd with an exaggerated "sshhhh".

Another crowd pleasing appearance by the DCL Reading Divas. Next parade is Saturday, July 15. Hope to see you there!

Book Cart Drill Team ArtMoves Parade Photos

A few photographs of the metro-wide Library Reading Diva Book Cart Drill Team in action during the Art Moves Parade. As noted on MELSA's website, John Reger from WCCO's evening news referred to the Divas as "A Crowd Favorite!"