Winter Programming



MeL logo [ [link removed] ]


Michigan eLibrary



Supporting Michigan Libraries - 11/20/2025

MeLting the Chill: Winter Programming Resources for Your Library

person reading under blanket

As Michigan libraries gear up for winter programming, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) offers a wealth of resources to support your seasonal efforts, whether you're planning storytimes, crafting sessions, or helping patrons navigate holiday stress and snow days.

*TIP ALERT! *Have you seen the _Programming Booklets [ [link removed] ]_ curated for YOU on MeL eResources? These booklets are jam packed with instruction guides, ideas, and even a template to construct your own MeL program… maybe even for one of the suggestions below! 

 

*Cozy Up with Content for All Ages* Encourage patrons to explore MeL’s *_Explora for Public Libraries [ [link removed] ]_* for winter-themed reads, craft guides, and cookbooks. This resource includes titles on _holiday baking [ [link removed] ]_, _DIY decorations/crafts and activities [ [link removed] ]_. For younger readers, *_Britannica School [ [link removed] ]_*_  [ [link removed] ]_and *_World Book Kids [ [link removed] ]_* offer engaging articles and images to support winter-themed storytimes or classroom visits.


* _World Book Kids [ [link removed] ]_ – _Finding North: Making your own magnetic compass [ [link removed] ]_activity. Rename the activity to give it a holiday spin or create a S.T.E.M. kit with a real compass, this activity, and a guide on how to create your own scavenger hunts!

*Passive Programming Made Easy* Looking for low-effort, high-impact programming? Create a “Winter with MeL” display featuring QR codes to databases, printable activity sheets, or curated reading lists from _Novelist K-8 Plus [ [link removed] ]_ or _Novelist Plus [ [link removed] ]_. You could also host a “MeL Minute” ?? during programs to introduce a new resource each week.


* _Pebble Go [ [link removed] ]_has a downloadable activity sheet in each tile category! Check out the one on _Animal Behavior [ [link removed] ]_ > _Hibernation [ [link removed] ]_ or _Social Studies [ [link removed] ]_ > _Holidays [ [link removed] ]_  
* _World Book Early Learning [ [link removed] ]_has a _Print and Do [ [link removed] ]_ activity section!

*Help Patrons Navigate the Holidays* The holidays can be joyful and stressful. MeL’s *_Consumer Reports [ [link removed] ]_* database is a go-to for patrons researching gifts, appliances, or travel gear. It’s also a great tool for budgeting and comparison shopping. For those looking to improve their well-being, *_Consumer Health Complete [ [link removed] ]_ *provides reliable information on managing _seasonal affective disorder [ [link removed] ], staying healthy during flu season [ [link removed] ]_, and more!

Articles from Nov/Dec 2025 Consumer Reports


* _Top Picks 2025 [ [link removed] ]_
* _Great Gifts Under $50 [ [link removed] ]_
* _Do I Need Winter Tires? [ [link removed] ]_

*Let MeL Resources lighten your load this winter.* With free, high-quality content for every age and interest, it’s a powerful partner in your seasonal programming toolkit.

*DID YOU KNOW?*

When you share a link from MeL with your patrons, they might first see a page that says, “Connecting you to content on EBSCOhost.”

This page shows basic information about the article or resource. To move forward, patrons should click the magenta button near the top that says, “Access through your institution.”

That button will take them to MeL.org, where they can log in using either: their library card number, or their Michigan driver’s license number.

*Want to see what your patrons see? *Try opening one of the links from this newsletter in a Chrome Incognito Window or a Private Window in Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

*If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact [email protected] for help. *



Brought to you by Shauna Quick from Library of Michigan

Author/editor: Hi! I'm Shauna Quick, the Technology Access Consultant at the Library of Michigan. In an effort to understand how AI can help libraries, I've been practicing different use scenarios such as brainstorming ideas for this MeLMinute. I had help from Microsoft Copilot to brainstorm and outline this month's theme (it was pretty clever with the title, right?). I asked it to work with me like a programming librarian looking for ideas for programming in the next three months. I hope you enjoy these wonderful, wintertime activities with your patrons!

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. 

Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ], or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery [ [link removed] ]. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks. 

MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only. 

The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.

#IMLSGrant







________________________________________________________________________

[link removed] [ [link removed] ]  Questions?
 Contact Us [ [link removed] ]

Your generous tax-deductible gift today will help assure The Library of Michigan Foundation [ [link removed] ] continues to support the Library of Michigan in improving crucial services and ensuring a rich literary culture.

STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ] Instagram Icon [ [link removed] ]  

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Library of Michigan · 702 W. Kalamazoo St · P.O. Box 30007 · Lansing, MI 48909-7507 · 1-877-479-0021