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LETTER TO EDITOR

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Usually, the last thing you want in your library is a bunch of bugs. But with a couple of insect-themed, family-oriented movies in theaters the multi-legged little critters are likely to be increasingly popular with your patrons and you will be fielding reference questions of the entomological kind.

Why not capitalize on the swarm of PR, as "A bug's Life" and "Antz" duke it out for a spot on top of the (ant)hill by going buggy for the theme and making your library "Insect Central." Fly away with a movie poster or two from your local theater operator — "please," "thank you," and "your library" in the same sentence make it hard for local businesses to say "no". Then combine that with some of the FREE graphics (below) to make a display reminding your patrons that the library is the place to go after they have seen the films.

The folks at Disney/Pixar (A Bug's Life) have set up a page of goodies featuring insect characters from "A Bug's Life" — some animated — all cute — all FREE — which are available for your use. Go to http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/masterpiece/shelves/bugs/heimlich_dttheme.html and follow the link to "Fun Stuff." Grab some Web graphics, icons and the screen saver. The screen saver, by the way, is very cute and not commercial — Library Media & PR gives it a "two-antennae-up" for use on your public Internet terminals.

Here are some interesting insect-related links to pollinate your website:

	Ladybug Lane's Favorite Links on bugs and insects for everything from science to craft ideas. http://www.ladybuglane.com/links.html
	"I Know My Backyard" Coloring Book for pictures to print out. http://www.ames.com/kids/coloringbook/index.html

And some event ideas ideas (from the Bemis Public Library in Littleton, Colorado).

	Exotic Bugs – A Master Horticulturalist brings unusual insects for the audience to see and feel.
	Crazy Balloon Entertainment – Balloon creations of bugs, snakes and other creatures. Patrons can take home a balloon.

The "Stuff About Bugs At The Library" graphic is FREE for your use in two versions compliments of LM&PR. Buzz over to bugstuff.html to chew on it. The other graphics are from the Disney/Pixar pages and are also FREE for your use on your Website compliments of Disney and Pixar.

Check out these "Go Buggy" ideas, print-out bookmarks, and flyer from Pam Carlson of the Orange County (California) Public Library.

– 11.04.98