Washington library celebrates DINOvember

The Washington Free Public Library held dinosaur-themed programming Monday afternoon to celebrate what it has dubbed “DINOvember.”

“Kids love dinosaurs, it’s a really easy way to get them into the library (and) check out all the awesome dinosaur books we have,” Youth Services Librarian Jenisa Harris said. “I thought we should have a program and we had a no school day, and I thought it was the perfect time to do it.”

While many libraries have recognized a dinosaur-centric themes in recent years, Harris said this was Washington’s first dedicated program to the month.

“I did a make-and-take last year that was really popular during COVID,” she said. “I thought it would be fun to do an in-person program this year.”

The craft-centric program included collages, digging for fossils in sand, making salt dough fossils of their own, a baking soda volcano, and of course, reading a book about dinosaurs.

“I just found a few activities and put them together,” Harris said. “Craft experiments are always really fun, and doing things with their hands is great.”

While Monday marked the library’s only dino-centric programming, Harris said a trend of dinosaurs making mischief on the building’s social media would continue through the month.

“People can check out our Facebook page to see what those shenanigans are,” she said. “It’s really been fun. I’ve used my son’s dinosaurs, and he thinks that it’s really cool that they’re showing up to the library.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com