3 thoughts on “Innovation Roadmap: Pen Pal Program”
Hi @lindsaymahowald, I love your idea! This is so heart-warming. Not to mention, I would love to participate in something like this. As you mention on your goals and objectives page, this encourages intercultural dialogue. I think this can also promote intergenerational dialogue too because a senior participant might be paired with a child or teen participant. You did mention that children would need parent consent. I love that this would bring people together who come from different walks of life. Great work 🙂
Hi Lindsay,
I -love- the idea of a library-based pen pal program! I have taught high school and library workshops on the significance of (hand written) letter correspondence and your program echoes this. With clear guidelines, consistent communication, and proper supplies, letter writing can be effective and relatively simple to implement. Letters can be a conversation, a reflection, a gift…
Regarding ages for participation, one time while I was holding a library-based workshop, three elementary grade(?) ages girls asked if they could send letters. Their grow up was downstairs, so we had them draw pictures and we saved them to send as holiday cards to people on the pen pal list who did not have someone writing to them already. Their grown up came upstairs later and we explained the plan and she loved the idea of kids getting a chance to participate, even in a one-off way.
Also: Your slides are so clear and well-designed. Great job!
@lindsaymahowald I just wanted to stop by and say what a great presentation this is! My library in Delaware is one of the ones participating in the New Zealand Pen Pal program – it’s honestly a really great program that has been working well and has attracted a lot of patrons throughout the state! I think it’s a fantastic way to help folks stay connected with others while learning about different life experiences and perspectives. It’s also a great activity for families to participate in together. There’s something so peaceful about communicating with pen and paper in a world where we might sometimes feel overwhelmed by the instant gratification of social media. I think this program is a reminder for people to slow down a bit, which I think we could all use sometimes!
Hi @lindsaymahowald, I love your idea! This is so heart-warming. Not to mention, I would love to participate in something like this. As you mention on your goals and objectives page, this encourages intercultural dialogue. I think this can also promote intergenerational dialogue too because a senior participant might be paired with a child or teen participant. You did mention that children would need parent consent. I love that this would bring people together who come from different walks of life. Great work 🙂
Hi Lindsay,
I -love- the idea of a library-based pen pal program! I have taught high school and library workshops on the significance of (hand written) letter correspondence and your program echoes this. With clear guidelines, consistent communication, and proper supplies, letter writing can be effective and relatively simple to implement. Letters can be a conversation, a reflection, a gift…
Regarding ages for participation, one time while I was holding a library-based workshop, three elementary grade(?) ages girls asked if they could send letters. Their grow up was downstairs, so we had them draw pictures and we saved them to send as holiday cards to people on the pen pal list who did not have someone writing to them already. Their grown up came upstairs later and we explained the plan and she loved the idea of kids getting a chance to participate, even in a one-off way.
Also: Your slides are so clear and well-designed. Great job!
@lindsaymahowald I just wanted to stop by and say what a great presentation this is! My library in Delaware is one of the ones participating in the New Zealand Pen Pal program – it’s honestly a really great program that has been working well and has attracted a lot of patrons throughout the state! I think it’s a fantastic way to help folks stay connected with others while learning about different life experiences and perspectives. It’s also a great activity for families to participate in together. There’s something so peaceful about communicating with pen and paper in a world where we might sometimes feel overwhelmed by the instant gratification of social media. I think this program is a reminder for people to slow down a bit, which I think we could all use sometimes!