FREE PANCAKES IN THE LIBRARY! We do it and so can you!
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Food in the Library - Are We Crazy?
If you want boys to read, get them into the library by going after their stomachs! As part of our Extreme Library Makeover, we allow students to eat and drink in the library any time they want - even at the computers. Are we crazy? Maybe little, but heck, most adults eat and drink at their computer all the time. Are adults more careful thanks kids? In my experience I'd have to say no (this includes me).
Start with Administration:
Explain to your administration that a pancake day in the library will attract patrons and make the library an inviting place. If you haven't already, do some research and create a library vision (read this article). If needed, ask for a trial pancake run. Maybe just one event. Take a before and after survey with staff and students. Data can a be powerful tool.
What About Our Carpet?
We average almost 200 students and staff in our library each day. Sure, we've had spills, but nothing that some cool water and paper towels can't clean up in a second. Once you allow food and drinks, be sure to remind your custodians of the importance and show them your appreciation.
Preparing for the Event
Once we got our pancake system down pat, running this fun event is a piece of cake (pun intended). Basically, we schedule one every 4-6 weeks. We keep it as a surprise which alleviates pressure for us. The day before the event, I have a TA (Teacher Assistant) get everything ready. He / she sets up 2 tables - 1 for the electric cooking skillets and one for the mixing bowls and plates. The morning of the event we have a community volunteer do the cooking or use a student volunteer. We start cooking a few hours before serving and keep all the pancakes in a covered aluminum pan. As new pancakes are added, they help to keep the other ones warm. Everyone loves the pancakes, even if they are not that warm. 
The Serving Line:
To avoid cutting class, students must wait until their break time to get their pancakes. We typically serve about 300 students during a one hour time frame. It is fast, crowded, and hectic - just what we want! Just before break begins, we load up a bunch of plates. Students grab a plate and then move across the library to the table section where they pile on the syrup and butter. This spreads things out and gives them a chance to sit and mingle.
Cleanup
We usually try to recruit a few students to get out of class to help clean up. If time runs out we just leave whatever is left in the back room and our TA cleans it in the morning.
Materials & Fees
We use profits from our Library Cafe to fund all the materials and food. Once the basic materials are gathered, the cost for consumables is very minimal. You could easily charge students $1.00 for 3 pancakes and still make a profit. Here are some materials needed:
- 2 Electric skillets. You may need to plug them in on seperate electrical outlets
- Rubber spatula, 4 pitchers, 2 huge mixing bowls, blender
- Krusteaz pancake mix (just add water) $5.59 per bag. We can feed 300 students and staff on about 5 bags! Students like the pancakes more when we the batter is thin.
- Margarine & Syrup
- Paper plates, plastic forks, plastic butter knives, napkins
Our Students and Staff LOVE it!
Believe me when I tell you that students and staff ABSOLUTELY LOVE AND APPRECIATE FREE PANCAKES! I can't tell you how many compliments and thank yous we get from everyone. Our students and staff think that we have the best library in the world. This attitude carries over throughout the school year. With the right attitude about a library, students can become life long library patrons (and readers).
Any Library Can Offer Pancakes
It doesn't matter if you are a public or school library, high school or elementary. All you need is approval from your administration and the right attitude. You may be surprised at the impact it will make.
Let's Hear From You
Have you participated in a food event in a library? What concerns or issues may get in the way of you giving it a try? Let us know.
wow, how clever and what a cool idea. I had never even thought of pancakes. When I thought of food, I thought of pizza which is expensive if you buy it take out or complicated to make from scratch.
I put on Literary Breakfasts for my middle school Literary Guild (anyone who asked to be in it) and some of their friends. Had juice, milk, pastries, fresh fruit, bacon, egg dishes---so I only did it once a month. (One year it did it all myself; the other year I had a mom who catered.) I covered the tables with banquet table clothes and had pretty centerpieces. It was very festive.
It was for guys and gals. I invited a few adults to come in and visit with the kids. (one example was the Assistant Superintendent who was very Pro-Library--another was a Principal who had written a children's book---once had the Public Librarian) Some teachers joined us.
It was a ton of work, carrying and clearing early in the morning, but I loved it and it made the library a classy place to be. (My assistant refused to help in any way, but that was her problem. She also refused to help with the book fairs the kids put on---and the kids had a ball with that.) The Principal tolerated it, barely, but the assistant Principal joined us whenever he could. I think people have as much enjoyment in life as they wish to, in most cases. The kids who loved the library (or learned to) had a wonderful middle school experience.
What a great way to get kids in the library! Food is always an excellent "draw" - for adults or children, male or female. :)
Bravo Diane! I'm glad to see other librarians going above and beyond. Knowing that there are people like you out there inspire me to keep doing the extra things that are special for so many people.
I love the pancake idea. Throughout the winter on very cold days we set up a hot chocolate station for students and staff. It is a welcome relief from the cold and generates tons of smiles and good feelings.
Twice a year during our used book sale, we give out bagels or muffins to anyone who buys a book.
With all of the food and drink, I can't remember any problems with spills or messes on the carpets and I agree the occasional mess does not override the benefits gained.
We have not had this in our town....yet...hopefully soon. I do know with having four boys here they would probably be first in line. I think it is awesome!
Thanks, Debby
Mike,
Thanks for your invitation to join you & what a superb web site. I'm hoping against hope to have a library job shortly and I'll sure return to your site to see what you're doing & get some more good ideas as to how to get boys reading.
Larry "Library" Retzack
Food in libraries is such a foreign concept to students. I teach information literacy at the University of Central Missouri, and my classroom is filled with computers. I let students eat and drink in class and recently the policy library-wide has been revised to allow food anywhere in the building. Students seem stunned by this, but it is geat once they realize we are not joking and they do snack while working. They are much more relaxed and it seems to help their focus as well!!
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for inviting me. Glad to be here. I LOVE this idea of pancakes in the library. Makes me wish I were a librarian!!
My Best,
Mary
This brings back memories of a few years ago when my aide and I had green eggs and ham breakfast in the Media Center. This was only for one class, though, but it was made up of mostly boys. They loved it. I think we will have to plan something for next year--perhaps pancakes would work for us!
Thanks for the great and fun idea!
All good librarians are a little crazy, even those of us who embrace some of the librarian-in-a-bun stereotype (albeit minus the shushing and dour grimace!). I have been reading your site with interest and will use it to look for tips while we reconfigure our library. Think I'll pass on the pancakes for just a little bit-- we have so many children in the library right now that we can't fit more in for snacks!
Awesome! I have lunchtime games in my middle school library and they love it. During TRW I usually serve hot chocolate and cookies (provided by parents) throughout the week, but the pancake idea is great. A few years ago my school had a 40 min. mentoring time at the beginning of the day and each Wed. I held a boys' breakfast club with 8th grade boys identified as needing improvement. I fed them and not a single one missed the book discussions and activities. Thanks for reminding me of this. I believe this would definitely work in my library.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! And the pancakes and syrup is really going for it --sticky and fun! And shouldn't the library be a place for fun! In my many years of using the public library, I always "snuck" food in with me and still do! I think this is a great way to create an inviting environment! Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Jen
Wow, I am so touched to see such excitement. The energy here is outstanding. It makes me want to mix up some flap jacks tomorrow! Thank you all so much!
One librarian started a Twilight movie event! Students got tickets to come when they GOT CAUGHT READING! Little Caesar's pizza at $5 each help added food appeal to the event. Popcorn added to the movie experience along with some pop. Librarians and a handful of English helped at the event Both guys and girls showed up ---- about 30 from a school of 1800! Who said Twilight was just for girls missed the "curiousity" that some guys have for the book. Best book report I had on the book this year was from a guy's perspective.
By the way students at our school get to do "self-selected" reading---sooooo important. Additionally, at our school allows kids to "report their book" to a librarian, who signs a form to be turned in to their English teacher! The reading specialist has provided multiple "book report" formats which I think helps guys immensely! This has helped me (case in point the Twilight report from a guy) This helps us get a feeling as librarians for how they relate to what they are reading! Oh yes, we are know for keeping bags of goodies for multiple reasons! Nothing like a tootsie pop! I had them out on random days to kids just for "hanging out in the library after school studying" AFTER 4PM when everyone else has left!
Every Wednesday in terms 2 and 3 (our cooler months in Australia) we have hot chocolate before school in the Library. The only stipulation is that the students need to sit and read.
Judibea - Wow, amazing fun! I love how this post has drawn out such great idea sharing :-)
Sharon - It's so fun to hear things from arounf the world!
At our intermediate school library(4-6 gr.)I invite a class once a week for Breakfast and Books. In conjunction with our district food service I serve a FREE breakfast while they listen to me read a book. This program doesn't cost me a thing other than getting to school a little earlier than usual. I keep the class from 7:30-7:55 am. The teachers love this since it frees them up for last minute planning. I also offer other fun things during that same time period on different days. Our library starts hopping before some even think about opening for the day.
Dear all,
Greetings to you from Ulaanbaatar Public Library, Mongolia.
This is my first comment to your useful website.
Thank you for all of your experience sharing!
I have a question, Do you know,
- how they choose to cook a pancake?, why not noodle soup?
- how to recycle used "Paper plates, plastic forks, plastic butter knives, napkins"? Is it many garbage to destroy the World?
- Is there any smell from cooking?
I want to inform you
our Ulaanbaatar Public Library situation.
Starting 1st of September 2008, my library stopped to eat and drink in the library reading room with open stacks. Why, most of our borrowers don't want to carry or put their garbage to the recycle bin. They left on the table or in the pocket of table top. After eating, they do a shewing gum. Again used shewing gum under the table or on the floor.
So, my each branch library with 3 librarians and 3 cleaner workers. How we can balance librarians and cleaners?
That is all,
Thank you for your reading and time.
Have a positive thoughts,
J.Begzsuren
Yahoo Messenger ID: mcl_begee
Pancakes and other food treats in the library sound like great ways for parent volunteers to be more visible Friends of the School Library. Great blog, Mike
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#1
I heard once that the way to a boy's heart is through is stomach! ...It turns out it's true!
On Pancake Day, the kiddos come back to school with a fully belly and a good attitude. It's also a good opportunity for teachers to sit with their students, share a meal, chat, and build better relationships. And the best part is... it's yummy!