Are you looking for an inexpensive and creative way for students to relax and collaborate in your library? This activity might fit the bill.

There are loads of books available as well as some pricy drawing posters you can purchase (just search for coloring posters or table-sized colouring sheets). Betty Dunning from Lindsay Place High School was looking for an affordable alternative for her library, and this is what she came up with.

Betty ‘blockpostered’* a colouring page and taped it to one of the tables. She attached a cup for pencils on each side of the colouring page. There is room for a least 2 and, sometimes, 3 or 4 students. The table is set right next the circulation desk as you come into the library . Students just pause and colour – a little or a lot. Betty believes they like the opportunity to stand and colour. Sitting at a table is too much of a commitment as they do sit all day.

*http://www.blockposters.com/ is a website that allows you to “create huge home-made posters from your own images” for free. This can be done in no time at all: upload your image and follow the clear instructions (I mean 20 seconds at the most)! By the way, blockposters can be used in so many ways, just imagine the possibilities…

Here are a few suggestions about colouring centres:

· From the ever helpful Gwyneth Jones a.k.a. “The Daring Librarian”:

o Questions about Coloring and Makerspaces: http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2015/12/questions-about-coloring-makerspace.html

o THE ZEN OF Coloring: http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2015/12/the-zen-of-coloring.html

· Teen Librarian Tool Box (check out the links at the bottom of the post): http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/?s=coloring+pages

· School Library Journal: High School Library Coloring Center De-stresses Students: http://www.slj.com/2016/12/industry-news/high-school-library-coloring-center-de-stresses-students/

· QSLiN post: https://qslin.org/colour-our-collections-week/

Suzanne Nesbitt and Betty Dunning, Librarian at Lindsay Place High School

Suzanne Nesbitt

  • Educational Consultant
  • Libraries and Cultural Programs
  • LBPSB