Libraries can connect their patrons and community together by being a place where ideas are constantly exchanged, (Wentz, 2013). Providing journal prompts can be a great way to inspire patrons to create their own stories and find a place to write them.
Adults can be given creative or self-reflective prompts on the walls and either write about them at the library, or take pictures of them to write about them later. They can also bring their own journals to the library to write down their prompt answers.
Kids and teens can have wild, creative prompts where they can revisit the imaginative world of their favorite stories. They can write about the books they wish they lived in, draw how they would look like as a character in the book, and of course have them think about their own stories they could write about.
Examples of a creative prompt could be: What book do you wish had been only a stand alone, or what book do you think needs a sequel? Pick one (or both) and write about how that book could have been a stand alone, or what the sequel would be about for the other book.
Example of a self-reflective Prompt- Write about some challenges you faced this week?
Example of “Free Thoughts”- Write about whatever you want!
More ideas can be found here.
Bingo Journal- Provide a Bingo sheet with each square having one word users can try to use in their prompts. If users do manage to get a “Bingo,” provide some mini prizes such as stationary supplies of any kind (pens, a journal, coupons for local restaurants, bookmarks).
Reference:
San Antonio Public Library. (2022). Journal Ideas LibGuide. https://guides.mysapl.org/journal
Wentz, E. (2013, April 26). The human library: Sharing the community with itself. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/human_librar/