Libraries are more than books. For in-house art projects for Storytime and other programs—just a bit messier than the basics, I gleaned the following from PUBYAC contributors. If you're a member, check out the archives for 10-14--09. Please add YOUR comments. Your colleagues would appreciate hearing what works, and what didn't!

 “Art education from an early age develops self-esteem, self expression and critical thinking skills.  Children learn concepts like lines, colors, texture and shapes, and develop pre-literacy skills through creative and imaginative play with art."

Smocks/Art Aprons  

• The general consensus is that it's easiest (and cheapest!) to use men's button-up shirts (with short sleeves if you can get them). Button/snap them up the back, roll up or hem long sleeves and you're good to go. Librarians have asked for donations of the shirts or purchased them at Goodwill/rummage sales, or have the children bring them.
• If you don't end up getting the smocks, you can always use heavy-duty garbage bags.  Just cut out a neck hole and arm holes.
• Use a t-shirt to make a smock. Make it a project by letting kids stamp or paint designs on. Cut up the side around the arm to the neck and follow neck band around to other arm. This leaves just the front with the neck band attached which slips over child's head. Ask at local stores that print on t shirts....they usually have mistakes that they will donate to you...just turn inside out so the printed part doesn't show."
• Discount School Supply is a good source for extra large paintbrushes (they are easier for the little ones to hold), smocks, and other arts supplies at a very reasonable price.  We are also fortunate enough to have a local art/craft store that is very open to the library.  You might want to see if there is one in your area that would be willing to make craft donations

Tips and Tricks

• Always do the messiest art project last.
• Make sure you tell people, preferably in writing on your promotional signage, that this will be messy and to dress appropriately! I also reminded them over the phone when calling to confirm their attendance. Many of the parents brought their kids in an oversized t-shirts that covered the child's clothing.  
• Baby wipes are essential.
• Incorporate art concepts and vocabulary into the crafts, but keep the emphasis on fun and creativity.
• Make a handout that has all the educational components as well as a "how-to" replicate the projects at home.
• Condensed milk is even better than vanilla pudding to make "paint" and children are less likely to eat all of it.
•   A couple of the projects that I can remember:  An art teacher brought in starry night by Vincent Van Gough and then had the kids draw a picture on black construction paper and paint it with salt water.  When it dried it sparkled.
• For Georgia O'Keefe she brought in a flower picture and had them make simple tissue paper flowers.
• Puffy paint - Mix equal parts Elmer's glue and shaving cream. This can be colored with food coloring if other colors are desired
• To make crayons peel old crayons, break into pieces and drop into the wells of a mini-muffin tin. Place in the sun or an oven until the pieces melt and run together. Allow to cool and you have rainbow crayons.

BOOKS

• Go Away Big Green Monster
• Color Farm
•  I Went Walking
•  Mouse Paint
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
• Chicka, Chicka Boom Boom - have children tear brown paper into strips for a trunk and tear green leaves from paper. Glue to another paper or paper plate. Children stamp alphabet letters around the tree.
• Very Hungry Caterpillar - make sock puppets. Draw eyes with markers. Cut out paper or fabric foods to eat.
• My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
• A Day with No Crayons.
• I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont and pairing it with finger painting or splatter painting. You can let the kids use markers to color a coffee filter (cut into any shape you want, or not cut at all). After they've colored the filter, use a spray bottle of water to get them wet one at time (gives you one-on-one with each child)....watch the colors expand!! The kids are fascinated by this. You don't have to get the filters "drippy wet" but you can if you have small pieces of cardboard for each child to carry home for drying purposes.
• Harold and the Purple Crayon
• My Dog Is As Smelly As Dirty Socks by Hankoh Piven. After reading the book, kids could make a portrait collage or themselves or another family member using stickers, sequins, feathers, pipe cleaner, stamps, crayons, and any other art supply that might be lying around.
• Lucy's Picture by Nicola Moon is another book dealing with making a collage.