More Ways to Grab Patron Attention In DOGust

In the famous quote by Groucho Marx, "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." DOGust is a fun way to grab and keep patron attention during the dog days of summer!

Create a LibGuide. What is a LibGuide? It is a curated book list. We started these lists for you featuring beloved dogs of children's literature with links to any official book trailers. What titles would you add?

Picture Books

• Good Dog Carl by Alexandra Day

• Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

• Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray

• The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey

• Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathman

• Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh

• Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell

• Excellent Ed by Stacy McAnulty

• A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

• Smelly Bill by Daniel Postgate

• Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Beginner Reader Series

• Henry & Mudge by Cynthia Rylant

• Biscuit by Alyssa Capucilli

Juvenile books

• Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

• Ribsey by Beverley Cleary

• Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

• Old Yeller by Fred Gibson

• The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnsford

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Jester

• The Call of The Wild by Jack London

• George Knows by Mindy Mymudes

• A Dog's Purpose series by W. Bruce Cameron

Create book trailers to promote your library collection. Now that you've seen some book trailers try it out and make your own. Patrons want to hear their favorite library staffs' recommendations.

Hold a pet food drive for your local animal shelter. Whether your area is in quarantine or not, shelters are in desperate need of supplies. Depending on your library's specific circumstances, no contact donations can be accepted in a designated container outdoors.

Grab & Go Dog Crafts. At the beginning of the quarantine, many people got new dogs. Libraries can provide the supplies or only the instructions for grab and go style crafts. Here are some great projects to try.

• Small fleece tie blankets. Animal shelters are always looking for more bedding for pets. Fleece blankets are quick and easy to make.

• Ball Tug Toy. All you need is a tennis ball, an old t-shirt, and a pair of scissors to make one of these. Tons of tutorials can be found on YouTube, or you can lead your own virtual crafting project.

• T-Shirt Rope Toy. All you need is an old t-shirt and scissors. You'll need 12 strips, about 1-2 yards long to braid a rope.

Want to learn more? Check out our previous blog post Get Patron Attention with a DOGust Celebration? Did you find the strategies listed in this post helpful? If so, share it with your friends and colleagues.