Lewis and Clark Library brings interactive movie to Lincoln branch

The Lincoln branch of the Lewis & Clark Library hosted a free "interactive" screening of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" Friday, Oct. 19.

The activity was administrated by Lewis & Clark Library Teen Services Librarian Heather Dickerson, who traveled from Helena for the event, and featured free pizza, kool-aid and a bag of "supplies" for each child. Some of the supplies for the interactive experience included a script, a hat, a wand, two "gold" coins and a nerf blow-dart gun.

Dickerson, who prepared the supplies, said she chose the movie, adapted from the book by popular Harry Potter author J.K Rowling, because the second movie in the series is due to be released soon.

"I use what other librarians have done – they've already developed scripts," she said. "I have three or four that I choose from, based on what kids are interested in. Harry Potter is always popular."

"First they look in their egg and that tells them what character they are in the movie," Lincoln Librarian Sherri Wood said, explaining the interactive portion of the screening. "Then...they follow the script and the script tells them to grab out of their bag, what to do and when to do it."

Although attendance was low at the outset, several children trickled in during the two-and-a-half hour screening. Wood said she thought attendance was probably affected by the date coinciding with the State's annual two-day open youth hunt, but was happy with the turn-out.

The interactive movie was just one of a variety of kid-friendly activities that take place at the Library regularly, on Fridays.

"Every Friday at 3:30 we do something," Wood said. "We do a movie, or we do crafts...we just do something, because there's a lot of children who don't go to the football games. Usually I have twelve to fifteen kids."

Wood said there is money set aside in her budget to fund the supplies and snacks she purchases for children's events such as the movie, and often Dickerson will put together a craft or activity for Lincoln kids.

Dickerson said she likes to visit Lincoln because of the range of ages of the children who participate, and the sense of camaraderie that exists between younger and older participants. She said in Helena, where kids don't necessarily know each other, each activity is limited to a specific age group.

"I don't have a problem with age groups - just come," Wood said. "I even get kids that are walking the streets, who will walk by and remember at the last minute. I'd like to get the children who don't know what to do with themselves – I'd like to get them here."