Welcome to Shortgrass Library System
Lending of programming kits is suspended due to COVID-19.
Need help with library programming? Need ideas and supplies? Shortgrass has created a variety of programming kits that are available to member libraries for borrowing. To request a kit, simply email programmingkits@shortgrass.ca. To ensure your requested kit is available when you need it, be sure to place your hold well in advance of your programming date and it will be sent to you with the regular deliveries.
Harry Potter Escape Room: Escape the Professor's Office
There's something very mysterious about your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, so you and your friends decide to break into her office and find out what she's hiding. Only problem: she's booby-trapped the office, and now you're locked inside! Can you break out before she returns?
This kit contains everything you need to set up an escape room in your library and is suitable for both larger and smaller spaces. Suitable for ages 8 and up. It is very easy to set up and run, but we recommend borrowing it at least a week in advance of when you wish to hold your program in order to familiarize yourself with the contents and game.
Physical Literacy Fit Kits
Remember the excitement you felt when your teacher brought out the colourful parachute in gym class? Or how much fun it was to play jump rope games with your friends? Our two physical literacy kits let you share that joy through library programming!
Outdoor and ”Giant” Games
Murder Mystery Party Kits
Karaoke
Board Game Kits
Kit #1:
Kit #2:
Oculus Quest Virtual Reality
Experience virtual reality in the library space! Our two Oculus Quests are fully wireless VR headsets designed to be easy for anyone to set up and use. You do not need a large open space, a computer, or a television to use this kit. Suitable for all ages! If you would like information about or assistance with running this program, please contact the Client Services Librarian. Games included:
Many more, including roller coasters and fishing!
Keva Planks *NEW*
Keva Planks can be used to build some seriously impressive structures. These small wooden planks (all the same size and width) fit together without using ANY glue or connectors, letting you create whatever you can think of, from marble runs to towers taller than you! If you can think of it, you can build it using Keva. Two kits of 400 planks each are available to borrow. This kit is suitable for all ages and can be used as either a passive program, part of a STEAM/maker night, or on its own. Encourages teamwork, creativity, and engineering skills!
Kits contain:
Osmo *NEW*
Osmo transforms iPads into devices that allow users to use physical items like Hot Wheels, blocks, and pen and paper to interact with a digital world! Race real Hot Wheels cars on a digital track, learn some basic coding, play word and math games, or draw pictures that magically animate! Osmo is suitable for kids aged 4-12 and makes an especially great STEM program for younger participants. Learn more about Osmo here.
Kit contains:
Zentangle-Inspired Art *NEW*
The Zentangle Method (created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas) is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images using structured patterns. If you have patrons who love the meditative, crafty nature of our origami or fibre arts kits, they'll love learning how to tangle with our Zentange-inspired kit! Suitable for all ages but an especially great option for adult or seniors programming. Learn more about the Zentangle Method here.
Kit contains:
Kindness Rocks
Ever been out for a walk and come across a beautifully painted rock with a picture or affirmation on it? You found a Kindness Rock! Meant to bring a little joy and happiness to the world around us, these little rocks are a fun, easy way to brighten anyone's day. With our Kindness Rocks kit, you can share a little of your own joy with the world.
Kit contains:
Fibre Arts: Knitting and Crochet
Have you heard? Knitting is cool again! Lead a learn to knit or learn to crochet program at your library with this kit, or just set out supplies in a sunny spot and watch people cozy up with yarn. Who knows -- maybe someone will make you a scarf!
Kit contains:
Beginner Coding with Ozobots
Basic computer programming has never been easier (or more fun!) than with Ozobot. These tiny robots read colour code and travel on paths created by you -- all you need to make them go is some paper and markers. Make them race, solve a maze, spell your name, dance -- if you can draw it, these little bots will go there.
Kit contains:
Inventing with MaKey MaKey
Ever wanted to play piano with bananas? Make your own Dance Dance Revolution board? Play Tetris with a Play-Doh controller? You can do all of these things and more with our MaKey MaKey kit! MaKey MaKeys are “the invention kit for everyone”.
Kit contains:
Button Maker
*Please note that due to supply costs, this kit may only be borrowed once per library per year. However, if you would like to purchase your own button parts and borrow our machine, that option is available to you! Contact the Client Services Librarian for details.
Origami for Beginners
Everything you need to get started with origami! Kit contains origami paper of various sizes and colours as well as basic project ideas and easy-to-follow books! Plus, check out this YouTube playlist of fun, easy folding ideas to get you motivated!
Advanced Origami
Easy origami not enough of a challenge? This kit contains everything you need to fold some seriously cool projects, including pretty patterned paper and instructions for folding more complicated projects.
Duct Tape Crafts
Ever wanted to make a wallet out of duct tape? How about duct tape roses, bow ties, or Christmas ornaments? Our duct tape crafts kit has everything you need to make all of these cool projects and more!
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Perler Bead Art
Great for kids and teens! Perler bead art (link to examples) is made by arranging plastic beads into patterns and shapes, then using a hot clothes iron to melt them together (please have an adult use the iron). Shapes take on a pixelly/8-bit appearance, making this a fun project for participants into video games and other kinds of "nerd" pop culture. Ships with all necessary supplies, including beads, pegboards, and iron, as well as suggested patterns.
STEAM Storytime Kit #1: Fairytale STEAM
Our STEAM Storytime kits are designed to help introduce kids to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) concepts through stories and fun activities. The fairytale kit contains three fun takes on traditional fairytales, a binder full of easy activity ideas, and some basic supplies to help you complete them. NOTE: Not all craft supplies are included.
Books:STEAM Storytime Kit #2: Inventing
Our STEAM Storytime kits are designed to help introduce kids to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) concepts through stories and fun activities. The Inventing kit contains three books about creative kids sure to inspire participants to want to make something amazing of their own, a binder full of easy activity ideas, and some basic supplies to help you complete them. NOTE: not all craft supplies are included.
STEAM Storytime Kit #3: Things That Go Vrooom!
Our STEAM Storytime kits are designed to help introduce kids to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) concepts through stories and fun activities. This “Things That Go Vrooom!” kit is sure to get kids’ revved up about science and things that go fast. Included are three books, a binder full of easy activity ideas, and some basic supplies to help you include them. NOTE: not all craft supplies are included.
Sloth Puppet & Books
Contains:
Unicorn Storytime
Make your storytime sparkle with this kit!
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Farm Animals
A classic storytime theme!
Contains:
New Storytimes:
Read Alberta Books Kit
Updated annually. This kit contains 35 great books written by Alberta authors for readers of all ages and interests. With fiction, non-fiction, YA, and picture books, this collection highlights the best of Alberta’s publishing industry from the last year. Kit can be borrowed for one month, and books can be loaned out to patrons for a regular loan period of 21 days. No renewals are allowed on Read Alberta Books materials.
Learner’s License Prep
Do you have teen patrons who need a little extra help ahead of taking their learner's license exam? This is a great kit to borrow during spring break or early summer, when many teens are getting ready to take their exam!
Minecraft
A perennial favourite. Minecraft is already installed on public computers, so your patrons can build and battle Creepers right away!