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!

No practice will be scheduled for the Aquatennial parade

We've determined there isn't enough time to try and get all interested volunteers together for a practice session. There should be enough experienced Book Cart Drill Team Divas at the parade to assist the new Divas.

With that being said...

• If there were Divas that decided to forgo this parade because of the practice requirement - well, now they can join in the fun!
• MPL has graciously offered the use of some of their book carts for the parade.
• Parade Reading Divas will be needed to assist with decorating the carts and getting them to the parade site.
• In lieu of practice, plan on running through the routine and chant a few times before the parade begins.
• Line up time and location is not yet determined, but plan on arriving at least one hour before the parade begins.

Some parade details:

• Torchlight Parade begins at the Basilicia of Saint Mary's at Hennepin and Lyndale Avenues.
• Route follows Hennepin Avenue east toward the Mississippi River, ends at 4th Street.
• Length of parade about 1.5 miles.
• We could be done well before 10:30 p.m., but it will depend on what number we are assigned in the parade.

As of today, we have eight Divas that have confirmed their appearance in this parade. We would really like a larger group and I know there are more of you out there so recruit, recruit, recruit!

Aquatennial parade goers are in for a treat this year!

For the first time the MELSA Library Reading Divas will appear in the Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight parade!

Parade date: Wednesday, July 18, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Line up time: Line up time and location will be advised.

Practice date: Not yet scheduled. If at all possible, Divas for this parade should participate in at least one practice.

Stay tuned for more info...

Still waiting for confirmation on the Aquatennial parade

Just a quick update to let you know that MELSA has not yet heard back from the Aquatennial parade organizers as to whether or not the Library Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team will be in the parade.

For now, mark your calendars and plan on being in the parade. It is Thursday, July 19, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Como Zoo Kick-off Event Information for the Divas

The metro wide Summer Reading Program Kick-off event at the Como Zoo is Thursday, June 14. Rain or shine, the kick-off goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Plan on arriving at 9:30 a.m. You can arrive later if that fits your schedule better, just be aware that parking will be more difficult.
• You can change into your gown at the Como Zoo and stash your stuff at a MELSA table.
• Sashes will be available for you at the event (along with a very limited number of tiaras).
• You will begin the day as official greeters to help generate interest and excitement in the MELSA events.
• When the initial crowds die down, you can stay at the entrance as a greeter or walk around and generate attention for the library events and help direct people to events.
• Be prepared to have your photo taken! Those of you who have volunteered as a Reading Diva in the past already are aware that the children are fascinated by the gowns and tiaras.
• Stay as little or as long as you are able. Because there are so many other activities going on, there will not be a book cart drill team performance at this event.
• No need to RSVP or sign up.
• As usual, if you know anyone that wants to be a Reading Diva at this event, pass along this information.

Thank You MELSA Library Reading Divas!

Another successful appearance by the MELSA Library Reading Divas!

Final Details for the ArtMoves Parade

WEATHER: Rain or shine, the event goes on. I would guess if there was severe weather that would not be the case, but plan on being there no matter what. Of course even a rainstorm can't stop a Diva from being fabulous!

TIME: If you can assist with decorating the carts - please plan on meeting at the MELSA booth in Rice Park at 11 a.m. It is located across from the Library. It will be easy to find as it will be the POPULAR booth since they have fun activities AND a DJ! We'll hang out for about 10 minutes for everyone who is arriving at 11 to get there and go to the SPPL all at once since we will need to be escorted to the carts. Whoever gets there first, please get the decorating supplies from Kathleen who will be in the MELSA booth.

We'll go into the St. Paul Library to decorate carts and then change. Once again you can stash your stuff underneath MELSA's tables in their booth.

If you are unable to help with decorating, please plan on meeting at the MELSA booth at noon. This will allow you time to get changed and all of us to check in by 12:30 p.m. - which is the deadline for unit checkin.

PARKING: Parking can be validated at the Victory Ramp, on Wabasha Street between 4th and 5th Streets. This is on a first come, first serve basis. If the ramp is full, there are several other ramps close by, I recommend the Lawson Ramp on 5th Street. There will only be parking validation for the Victory Ramp.

CHECK IN: There is a check in table in Washington Street between 5th and 6th. Please check in to the table to find out the unit number and order.

RELEASE/WAIVER: You may have to sign one when you check in. Last year we received them at the last minute and I haven't seen anything come through my email yet.

HOSPITALITY TENT: This year you need a badge to enter the hospitality tent. I guess there was some abuse of this wonderful volunteer benefit in the past which made it necessary to issue badges. I've been assured that the Reading Divas will receive badges.

T-SHIRT: Alas, they cut back expenses this year so we will not receive one. If you have your heart set on getting one, check with Kathleen at the MELSA booth to see if they have any extras.

PARADE: Begins at 1 p.m. and lasts just about 30 minutes. Its a short one (but very, very fun)

NEW THIS YEAR: BELL RINGING: All participants in the Parade will be given a bell for the Parade. At 1:15-as part of the Saint Paul Cathedral Centennial Celebration-the Parade will stop (I hope all units are around the park) and ring their bell. This is a ringing for Peace. We will be joining the Cathedral and 50 other churches in the Twin Cities for the Bell Ringing.

This sounds really neat. I'm not positive how they will signal all the units when it is time to stop and ring the bell but we may have to abort a cart manuever when the time arrives. Anyone just dying to be the bell ringer?

STAGE PERFORMANCE: There will be a DJ and sound system. We are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. I'm hopeful that there is some flexibility and we can go on sooner. Otherwise plan on visiting the hospitality tent after the parade and before the performance.

ASSIGNED BOOK CART NUMBERS: To assist us when we were planning the stage routine we assigned everyone a number. We'll get the number printed and taped to the handle of the cart for you. We tried to mix up Divas who were able to attend practice with those who were not able to make it.

Book Cart Decorating Divas needed before the parade June 3

Good news: SPPL is generously allowing the use of ten of their book carts for the Flint Hills Festival parade on June 3.

Not so good news: We don't have a volunteer decorating crew available the day before the parade to decorate the carts.

Good news: The Reading Divas get to put their multi-talents to work decorating carts before the parade begins.

Not so good news: We need the decorating divas to arrive around 11 a.m. as we will need 30 to 60 minutes to get the carts decorated, and another 30 minutes or so to practice the stage routine and change into our diva duds.

Good news: The decorating will be simpler than last year. This year the cart decor will consist of metallic fringe. Period.

Please, please, please consider coming early to help decorate the carts.

Fun Book Cart Drill Team Clips

Have you seen these clips from the 2006 ALA book cart drill team competitions? If not, click on the links below.

As you'll see, the ability to ham it up is a great skill to have when you're part of a book cart drill team!

The Book Divas (2.57 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqU6D50QVtM

Mr Sandman "the Bookaneers" Seattle Public (2.24 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f-X_lhJfoo

The Pitt Crew clip (5 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFtjnxm_wiQ

Tulane Book Cart Drill Team (2.54 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlNm0TZrnyQ

From "what's new in libraries" (2.20 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpFf1i1_g5I

Book Diva practice (1.37 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcJV-HcJQAs

Enjoy!

ArtMoves Parade - just a quick update

Wow! The first parade is less than two weeks away!

We're still working out the details on getting the book carts to the parade site. We're are very hopeful that that SPPL will generously allow us to use 10 of their carts for the parade.

Last year the carts were decorated the day before the parade, but that will not happen this year. We'll need some Library Reading Divas to arrive early to assist with attaching the cart decor (mostly metallic fringe) before the parade begins. If we get enough people it won't take more than an extra 30 to 45 minutes.

I am playing phone tag with the parade organizers about the t-shirts, parking, and a place to change into the diva wear (if you don't wear it to the event).

The last practice session is schedule for this coming Saturday, May 26 at 10 a.m. If you can make it, great! If not, no problem! And as usual, if you know anyone who decides at the last minute they want to join in the fun just bring them along with you.

If I get more information before Saturday I'll post again.

Divas Go Bananas at second practice

What a fun group of divas this is proving to be! For those of you who were able to make this practice thank you for giving up an hour of your Saturday to work on the routine for the upcoming parade season.

The stage performance came together this morning and thanks to S (from HCL) we have a fun and energetic opening - the Banana Peel song!

Recap of the stage routine:

• Enter two by two with a criss-cross movement
• Line up in one long line across the middle of the stage
• Move to the front of the bookcarts
• Do the Banana Peel song
• Move to back of the bookcarts
• Move into two lines

MUSIC BEGINS

• Spin bookcarts
• Form an outer circle (counter clock-wise) and inner circle (clockwise)
• Move into one line
• Wheel spoke move - one full rotation
• Alternate divas step forward and backward 1 and 1-1/2 times
• Front row divas - Romantic twirl
• Back row divas - Romantic twirl
• All divas - kick twirl
• Form three pinwheels
• Move into one long line - primp and ham it up until end of music

MUSIC ENDS

A (from DCL) INTRODUCES LIBRARY CHANT

• Divas keep beat on bookcarts
• Quiet the crowds
• The Name Game - each Diva moves to front of stage while her name is chanted

ENDING

• A (from DCL) invites everyone to Go Bananas at their library and tells where the MELSA booth is located
• Divas move off stage in single file

I'll send the routine to everyone who has signed up to participate this summer the parade routine, the words to the banana peel song, and the words to the library chant.

Como Zoo Event - June 14

I have more details on the Library Reading Diva appearance at the Summer Reading Program kick-off event at the Como Zoo on Thursday, June 14.

There will not be a book cart drill team performance at the zoo. The logistics of getting the book carts to the zoo and finding an area for the performance proved to be more difficult that we originally thought it would be.

However, that doesn't mean that the MELSA Library Reading Divas are not wanted or needed at this event.

There are many people who visit the zoo and are unaware of the library's presence that day. That is where you come in! If you are participating at this event you will act as a roaming ambassador for the library. You may be at the entrance as a greeter, you may be helping out at a booth with tattoos or the trivia wheel, or you may help direct people to the various activities.

The Como Zoo event will be a great opportunity to interact with the children and their families.

Oh, and be prepared to have your photo taken with the visitors. People love their library.

First practice a success

There may have only been four of us at practice but we accomplished a lot. Practice began a bit unorganized but last year's routine was quickly remembered and the majority of the time was spent on the creation of the brand-new stage routine.

The stage routine is going to be a fun one. We are able to incorporate book cart moves on stage that just don't work while walking a parade route. And oh! The romantic twirl move (courtesy of The Library Book Cart Precision Drill Team Manual is so much fun to do they may never get us off of the stage.

The stage routine consists of criss-cross, home position, rotating circles, the spoke, forward/backward transition move, romantic twirl, kick twirl, pinwheel, ending at home position. The routine finishes with the library chant and an invite for audience participation. Don't know what I'm talking about? Better come to practice! Okay, I'm just kidding. I know the practice dates don't fit into all of your schedules. No worries, it'll come together just fine.

What we need now is music for the stage routine - any ideas?

The next practice is set for Sat., May 12 at 10 a.m. We'll spend most of our time working on the stage routine as there are a couple of moves that will require precision on our part.

Hope to see you there!

Scheduled Parade Dates are located on the Sidebar

MELSA parades - the scheduled dates for the MELSA parades are located at the top of the sidebar.

Dakota County Library parades - the scheduled dates for DCL parades are located on the sidebar also, below the MELSA Reading Diva photo from the Macy's media event.

Any questions, email Sharon.

And yet another request for an appearance by the Library Reading Divas

St Paul is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a parade downtown on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007.

A request has come for the Library Reading Divas to participate in the parade. So mark your calendars and recruit, recruit, recruit.

After all, we want to share the fun don't we?