PCL patrons explore the inside of a hot air balloon’s envelope.
Park County Library patrons had the unique opportunity to see the inside of an envelope earlier this month. Not the kind of envelope you mail, but the enormous nylon bag that fills with hot air and can carry people in the suspended gondola of a hot air balloon. The Park County Library (PCL) in Cody, Wyoming, kicked off their summer program on the last day of school, May 31, with a real hot air balloon on the library grounds.
Summer reading assembly fun at a Cody elementary school
“I visited with all Cody elementary classes in the month of May, telling them it was coming, and encouraging everyone to come over right after school let out,” said Holly Baker, Children’s Services Director for the Park County Library (PCL). During the assemblies at Cody elementary schools, Holly and a teacher dressed up, standing inside the gondola (a decorated box) and holding helium balloons. The publicity campaign was successful; over 300 young library patrons came to explore the inside of the hot air balloon.
An outside view of the hot air balloon at the Cody Library
During the experience, Cody kids were able to walk around inside the inflated balloon. “It was honestly awesome,” said Holly. “No one knows just how ginormous they are until you get inside one!”
“We’ve been loving this year’s ‘Adventure Begins at Your Library’ theme,” said Holly. “Because of the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s great artwork and t-shirts with hot air balloons, we decided to focus on them for not only decorating, but exploring!”
Hot air balloon window art at the Cody Library
The Park County Library System has locations in Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse. Each location has summer reading events planned for Park County patrons of all ages. See their events calendar for more information.