Victorian Christmas at the Library

Yesterday's Victorian Christmas celebration at the Library was a huge success.  Over 400 patrons queued up to see the Silly Safaris Animals of the North Pole program, and many enjoyed the music of the Central Indiana Folk Music & Mountain Dulcimer Society's concert.  Dozens had pictures taken at the holiday photo booth (thanks to MPL Teen Council for running that event), and several families enjoyed making holiday crafts during Saturday Crafternoon.  I didn't see the final door count, but it must have exceeded at least 800.  I couldn't even get near the building because of the crowds, and my minions found it difficult to move around to take photos, but we snapped a few.  As always, click the images to bigify.

 Sweet sounds from the CIFM&MDS

 Saturday Crafternoon was family fun

Patrons queued up out the front entrance into the parking lot

awaiting Silly Safaris Animals of the North Pole program

Members of MPL Teen Council (center) conducted a

popular holiday photo booth in the Young Adult Zone (YAZ)

Countless other patrons visited the Library, too, for "ordinary" services, such as checking out (or checking in) items, using the computer lab, conducting genealogical or local history research, browsing the stacks, receiving reference assistance, or handling accounts at circulation.  What I found most amazing is that all of these hundreds of patrons were being served by five MPL staffers.  Christmas bonuses, I'll venture.  Just saying, Boss Lady.

Special kudos go to Crafty Gal, who orchestrated the day's festivities.  She was everywhere at once, handling last-minute adjustments, solving problems, encouraging enthusiasm among waiting patrons, and keeping everything moving smoothly.  Crafty Gal is truly made of awesome.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Since the MPL community room was totally packed with patrons, Scowl-Face had to take photos through the windows, standing outside in the MPL courtyard. Furthermore, since he's a lousy photographer, we couldn't get any decent pictures of the star of Silly Safaris Animals of the North Pole, a real-live elkenfroster (humans call them reindeer).  So here's a photo from the Ghost of Christmas Programs Past.  (That's "Flat" Dovydas standing on the elkenfroster's back.)