Heidi Bertaux

14-3 Programming Event: I Spy Training Academy Proposal How many of us when we were kids have been fascinated with spies? The secrecy involved, the cool tools they use, the many movies and books about them that draw kids in all point to the probable success of such a program at our library. My proposal is for a program that would be for kids ages 7-10, an actual Spy Academy where kids could train to be spies. The first step would be to advertise the event this would be done through our awardwinning classes and events guide, the Source. This is put out quarterly, and includes all the Howard County library system's events and classes for three months. Once it is in the Source, it would show up on the Library Web Site (www.hclibrary.org), on various social media pages, and on our event televisions that are throughout our branch. The next step would be to gather all the materials and books I would need. When the future spies first arrive, we could have them choose their code name - so name tags would be available, along with possible nouns and adjectives to use in creating a unique name. Next would be time for serious training - One of the courses in the Spy Academy would be a minefield obstacle course 4 large boxes filled with black balloons that the kids would need to navigate without popping any mines. This would take some preparation - not only in gathering the boxes, but filling all those balloons! Another course would be a Laser field, where potential spies would need to navigate through red streamers that would be crisscrossed randomly to simulate red laser beams. This would also need much pre-planning in design and implementation. A third event would include discussing some books on Spy lore, (*see notes at end) and reviewing items that every good spy would need out in the field. This could be done by an actual demonstration and trying out of materials. One game that could be included would be to see if these future spies could spy items on a tray for a few seconds, then close their eyes while some items are removed, and then try to select which items are not there anymore. Lastly, our future spies could make a Spy craft such as a marshmallow catapult, a spy badge, and/or fake disguises such as a beard and mustache. These materials would all need to be prepared and set up ahead of time. I believe that this program would be a great success due to the high number of kids that already use our library and come to special events; I would need to have it pre-registered to keep the numbers at a manageable level. I also believe that this program fits in to both our vision and mission statement, to deliver high quality public education for all ages through our three pillars of self-directed education, research assistance and instruction, and instructive and enlightening experiences. The children coming to this program would be learning many fascinating facts about spies, would be interactively putting this knowledge to the test, and would definitely be engaging in an instructive and enlightening experience! *Books to be either read, demonstrated, and/or viewed for customer check-out could include: (among others) The Boys' Book of Spy craft: How to be the Best secret Agent Ever (Martin Oliver) Cool Spy Supplies (Esther Beck) Spy (DK Eyewitness-Richard Platt) Spyology (Candlewick Press)

The Read Spy's Guide to Becoming a Spy (Peter Earnest) Agent A to Agent Z (Andy Rash) You Wouldn't want to be a Secret Agent during World War II (John Malam) Encyclopedia Brown Mysteries (Donald Sobol) Geronimo Stilton, Secret Agent (Scholastic) Melonhead and the Undercover Operation (Katy Kelly) Mallory McDonald, Super Snoop (Laurie Friedman) George Washington, Spymaster (Thomas B. Allen) NERDS series (Michael Buckley)

Press Release for I Spy Academy Date: January 3, 2013 Press Contact: Christie Lassen (410.313.7786) Andrea Misner (410.313.7781) HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM SEEKS TO TRAIN YOUNG SPIES AN I SPY TRAINING ACADEMY EVENT What: Howard County Library System's Miller Branch will be holding a training event for future spies aged 7-10 years old. These hopeful spies will have an enlightening experience getting through a balloon mine field, navigating around a dangerous laser field, studying types of spy lore and tools of the trade, as well as making cool spy crafts. When: Saturday, March 23, 2013 Where: Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Who: Children's Instructor Heidi Bertaux ###
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