PunkinFutz Survival Guide No. 46

RESOURCES, EVENTS, TIPS, AND SUPPORT ALL IN ONE PLACE, EVERY MONDAY.
“Even throughout the crises we are experiencing this year, we can still look to libraries and museums as places of healing, of refuge, of curiosity and inspiration, whose resiliency is the harbinger and the symbol, the soul of communal rebirth.” Crosby Kemper, Director of Institute of Museum and Library Services
How Cool are Libraries?
PunkinFutz has partnered with libraries over the past several years, because we recognize the essential role they play in stabilizing and supporting our communities.  They are essential services.  You want to see just how cool libraries are?  Check out the weird and wonderful things you can borrow from a local public library, including Santa suits, gardening tools, therapy dogs and even people!
We are going to start with our amazing hometown library.  Some resources and opportunities require a library card and some don't.  Their offerings are amazing.  Check the whole shebang out here.  We picked out some favorites below:

Resources that Require a Brooklyn Public Library Card:
BrainFuse JobNow: resources to help you find and land your next job, including Live Coaching from 2-11 pm EDT.
Little Pim: helps children learn a foreign language.  Ten languages to choose from!
Mango: online courses for adults to learn a foreign language (or two!).  There are 52 languages from which to choose.
Culture Pass: gain access to cultural institutions round NYC with your library card! Some locations are open in person or check out free virtual programming here.

No Library Card Required:
Terrific events and programming, in-person and virtual, from mindfulness for youngsters to entrepreneurship for young adults to virtual Ask-a-Tech computer support to virtual stretching classes for older adults.  WOW! Check the calendar here. 

Inclusive programming: from parents support groups to hospital reading troubadours.  Find accessibility here.   

Filtered search for free resources available anywhere by zip code for social services and support organizations near you.

Instructables: maker space-type support, including lesson plan activities by grade. Buster and I did this one. It was a great way to spend a rainy weekend!
Institute of Museum and Library Services Annual National Medal Winners

For 25 years, the Institute has sponsored a National Medal for creative use of libraries and museums.  Check out their 2019 honorees, including a safe space for LGBTQ meetings and a bicycle lending program!
I was so surprised by how many public libraries across the country are a center for support of immigrants and new Americans.  Another amazing community support, from coast to coast and everywhere in between, including:
EIFL Public Library Innovation Awards recognize innovative library services that improve lives and livelihoods in Developing and Transition Countries.  Check out the January 2021 winners here.  Anyone can use EIFL's resources.  I found resources such as teaching teenagers to do online research, Latvia’s use of “social reading” apps to encourage reading among teenagers, mobile libraries to promote literacy in Ghana and how eLibraries are changing Myanmar.  Many of these ideas seem wholly transferable to rural and disenfranchised US populations, too!
If you have the time to wade through this HUGE, but dated list, you can find some fascinating ideas from libraries around the world, from repair cafes in Holland to electric car charging stations in the UK to family to inmate video conferencing rooms at the Brooklyn Public Library.  
The resources and events offered by The New York Public Library are truly world-class.  Don't miss the many virtual offerings that can be accessed from anywhere, many of them for free.
Our thanks to Vartan Gregorian (1934-2021) who died last week.  An Armenian immigrant, he worked tirelessly to preserve the NY Public Library, understanding its true value:  “The New York Public Library is a New York and national treasure...It is an integral part of New York’s social fabric, its culture, its institutions, its media and its scholarly, artistic and ethnic communities...It is an investment in the city’s past and future!”
Don't Miss This Week's
Free PunkinFutz Programming: 
Wednesdays at Noon for adults
Friday Recess at 4 pm for kids!
Join us this Wednesday at 12 pm EDT on Facebook Live for an important episode on antiracism! The conversation will feature Dr. Aisha White, Ph.D., Director of the P.R.I.D.E. (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education) Program at the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development, Caitlin Forbes-Spear, Ph.D., Director of Literacy and Learning Interim Director of Evaluation and Research at University of Pittsburgh, and Medina Jackson, Director of Engagement at P.R.I.D.E.
Finish up your week with fun!  Join PunkinFutz for Recess! Friday at 4 pm on Facebook Live.  This week, kids can enjoy a blended learning and musical episode, featuring Matt Fernald of Golden Acorn Music!

A  B I T  O F  F U N
While modern libraries seem to have an amazing diversity of offerings, apparently there are some things you still can't get in the library...
Classic Sesame Street
Please note, PunkinFutz is in no way affiliated with any of the organizations covered in this newsletter.  PunkinFutz receives no compensation, directly or indirectly, from any organization or entity mentioned.