Next week marks the two year anniversary of Flannel Friday, which began when Melissa of Mel’s Desk decided to post a new flannel board idea every Friday. Soon after, Anne at So Tomorrow and I decided to follow suit, and A MOVEMENT WAS BORN! In two years, we’ve gained a hashtag, a pinterest account, a website, a facebook group, and many, MANY participants in the US and internationally. WOW!
Librarians have always been great at sharing. It’s kind of our job – finding, curating, storing and making information available to others – and children’s librarians are ALWAYS willing to share our best ideas with others in our (and related) professions. It’s something I’ve always loved about my colleagues. And Flannel Friday is the best example of this sharing spirit.
I started my blog (in January of 2010, I think?) as part of my library’s Library 2.0 training – we were learning about various technologies we might encounter in our work with patrons – and I quickly decided I wanted to keep it up. I didn’t know if anyone would ever read it, but I enjoyed writing and sharing my best storytime successes – and the often hilarious and sweet things preschoolers said in those storytimes. Flannel Friday, however, grew my readership by leaps and bounds. It’s one thing to know that you’ve created a flannelboard that was enjoyed by your storytime patrons, but it’s quite another to know that your comrades-in-early-literacy like your idea and want to replicate it. We all need that feedback and recognition from our professional colleagues – a little pat on the back is a good thing.
In addition to new readers, what else has Flannel Friday given me?
- A community. I have librarian friends I have never met, but feel like I have known for ages. Even one in Scotland. Look out, LQ, I’ll be visiting you someday!
- Creative energy in abundance. When I find a flannel I want to replicate, or someone else’s flannel spurs an idea of my own, I get SO EXCITED and want to get working on it immediately.
- Something awesome to be proud of. It’s a great feeling to be able to direct other librarians and teachers to the Flannel Friday pinterest page and know that I, in my little way, helped create that. I’m also proud to share the immense creativity and passion of children’s librarians. We love our jobs, and it shows in the love and care we put into our programs for children.
Flannel Friday, you’re THE BEST!
P.S.: Stay tuned. I got a GREAT idea, spawned from something I found on our Pinterest page, that I’m gonna make for next week’s FF! Can’t wait!
missmaryliberry.com 
ooo… foreshadowing! such a tease! can’t wait to see what creation you come up with, mary!
“our comrades-in-early-literacy” love that and completely agree with that sentence. The vote of confidence, pat-on-the-back, “atta-girl” is a big part of the reassuring, compassionate feel we find in our Flannel Friday community.
For sure! I drive by there all the time and salivate…
Deal! 🙂
Mary, I am honored to be part of your community. I hope you DO make it to Scotland I’d love to introduce you and your uke to my storytime friends (in exchange for board and lodging)?
Mary, thanks so much for being a part of this journey from the very beginning! It’s been so fun to be local adjuncts of this far-flung community. 🙂 TIme for another fish and chips lunch, I think!