Costumed Events @ the Library
Examples
2013 ULA Spring Conference
How Do You Pull Off a Successful
Costumed Event?
Star Wars
“Any costume, whether homemade or bought,
simple or sophisticated, can free a child from
certain anxieties and inhibitions… a costume
can be a passport from trying out new identities,
for playmaking and bonding with peers.”
(Zingher, 1995)
Harry Potter









Why Costumed Events?
Study done in Massachusetts resulted in
43% of participants reporting increased
positive feelings about the library by 20% or
more. (Struzziero, 2012).
In Miami, an annual cosplay event brings
more than 3,000 teens each year. (Scwartz,
2012).
Costumed events bring patrons that have
never stepped into a library before. (BrehmHeeger, Conway, Vale, 2007)(Hoppe &
Wilson, 2012)(Verbeten, 2012)
Costumes allow youth to channel emotions,
cultivate personal identities, inspire
creativity, empower shy and bold youth
alike, enable play and peer-bonding without
judgment, create links to various cultures
and times, and free a child from certain
inhibitions and anxieties. (Zingher, 1995)
Books, Authors, and their Characters are
Our Rock Stars. They empower us to reach
users of all ages and interests and enrich the
library experience. (Verbeten, 2012)
Anime Cosplay



Superheroes & Princesses



The possibilities are Literally Endless!
Plan to Dress-up Yourself.
Encourage other staff to do the same.
Enlist Teen Volunteers and
encourage them to dress in costume.
Coordinate with other libraries, the
community or civic departments for
a larger audience and larger venue.
Think about events Inside and
Outside.
System Libraries can pool funds to
create a Program Box with materials
that can be used repeatedly at various
locations.
Request Professional Costumers
and/or rent your own costumes or
book characters.
o http://costumespecialists.com
Offer incentives for dressing in
costume.
Contact local business, especially
comic book stores and gaming
stores, for sponsorship and prizes.
Get ideas from Library Connection
e-mail list-servs.
Costuming Groups You NEED to Know
Check Contact Details for Info on how to Request an
Appearance. Be understanding that these are all
volunteers and are giving their time and efforts for
free so check event page for reasonable availability.
Group Expectations from You: a secure
place to change and store expensive items, instruction
on what you want them to do, preference given to
events that contain a charity aspect.
Star Wars:
Alpine Garrison: Utah Chapter of the Star Wars
“Bad Guys” www.alpinegarrison.com
For other locations: www.501st.com/
Rogue Base: Utah, Idaho, and Montana Chapter of
the Star Wars “Good Guys”
www.facebook.com/roguebase
For other locations: www.rebellegion.com/
Krayt Klan: Utah Chapter of the Star Wars
“Mandalorian Mercs.” (Think Bobba Fett)
www.facebook.com/KraytClan
Harry Potter:
The Rocky Mountain Muggles: The Utah Chapter of
the Harry Potter Alliance.
www.facebook.com/TheRockyMountainMuggles
For Other locations: http://thehpalliance.org/
Crimson Flyers: University of Utah’s College
Quidditch Team. www.facebook.com/utahquidditch
Ghostbusters:
The Rocky Mountain Ghost Wranglers: Utah
Ghostbusters Reenactment group. Provide science
and paranormal investigations. Depending on
location and event, may have a fee attached.
www.facebook.com/rmgw.gb
Star Trek:
U.S.S. Kelly: Parent Chapter of Utah’s Star Trek
Chapters. http://www.usskelly.com/
Superheroes:
H.E.R.O.I.C.: Utah Non-Profit Superhero/VideoGaming/Princesses Costuming Group.
www.facebook.com/HeroicInc
Princesses:
H.E.R.O.I.C.: Utah Non-Profit Superhero/VideoGaming/Princesses Costuming Group.
www.facebook.com/HeroicInc
Anime:
J-Pop:
Resources:











“Anime-TED Event” (2004) American
Libraries, 35(11), pg. 22.
“Back to Hogwarts” (2003) American
Libraries, 34(10), pg. 22.
“Books Personified” (2012) Verbeten,
Sharon. Editor’s Note. Children &
Libraries: the Journal of the Association for
Library Service to Children, 10(3), pg. 2.
“Cosplay, gaming, and conventions: the
amazing and unexpected places an Anime
club can lead unsuspecting librarians”
(2007) Brehm-Heeger, Paula, Conway, Ann,
Vale, Carrie. Young Adult Library Services,
5(2), pg. 14-16.
“Cure for teen boredom” (2012) Schwatrz,
Tina. VOYA, 35(3), pg. 219.
“Dress up days and costume nights” (1995)
Zingeher, Gary. School Library Monthly, 11,
pg. 40-42.
“Dressed for Success” (1995) Lodge, Sally.
Publishers Weekly, 242, pg. 27-19.
“Steampunk Collaboration” (2012) Hoppe,
Kelly M., Wilson, Josh. Library Media
Connection, 31(1), pg. 24-26.
“A Superhero: Who, Me?” (2007) Hoppe,
Kelly. Library Media Connection, 26(1), pg.
34.
“Use the Force” (2012) Struzziero, Peter.
VOYA, 35(2), pg. 134-135.
ALA Resources:
o http://www.ala.org/programming/
o Harry Potter Party resources:
o http://www.ilovelibraries.org/articl
es/featuredstories/potterdays
o http://www.ilovelibraries.org/articl
es/featuredstories/potternight
o Other Current Program Ideas:
o http://www.ala.org/united/friends/i
deasharing/programs
Notes: