Libraries are more than books. Some kids need a little direction to get the creative juices flowing. The following was gleaned from PUBYAC contributors. If you're a member check out the archives for 3-17-2010 and 2-11-2011..

see also: Sleepover Party Shots Locations

I also found this on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/menashapubliclibrary/4356719347/

• I just did a regular story time and included things the kids could do with their animals. Then they left and I took photos of what the animals did after the library was closed. I attached the booklet that I sent home with each of the kids. The parents and kids alike loved seeing the photos. I had so many animals that I had to take multiple photos in order to get everyone in, but it was a lot of fun.
• After closing, it took us about an hour and a half to set up and take all the photos. We found sticky-back Velcro and regular masking tape to be helpful in setting up props. Also, if you can beg or borrow doll stands, that would be helpful--we used lots of bookends. I had a booklet already made in Publisher, with captions, so all we had to do was upload the pictures and plug them into the spaces. We printed a booklet for each child to take home when they came the next day to pick up their toys. Our printer folds and staples a booklet so it was very easy once I figured out how to make it print correctly.
• Have extra stuffed animals for kids who show up without them (this happened with a couple of our attendees) -- obviously they couldn't have the experience of letting their loaner animals spend the night but that way they had them to use during our storytime.
• My advice is this: Make sure your camera works and batteries are charged, etc. And have a back up camera.

This is a 2 day program: one day to drop-off animals and stage a sleepover and one day to pick up the animals and have a storytime.

Teen volunteers were heavily involved in the preparation and staging of the sleepover at my library.

• Prior to the Program:

          -prepare name tags

          -prepare a registration sheet

          -prepare paper hats and crowns, if desired

          -brainstorm scenes, scenarios and activities for the stuffed animals to "do" at the sleepover (see photos for ideas)

          -get any necessary props ready

          -ensure that you have at least one digital camera (more is better - we used 3)

          -plan a storytime program (using a theme like goodnight, good morning, teddy bears, etc.)

• Day of the Drop-off:

          -designate a time and area for preschoolers (0-5) to drop off their stuffed animals

          -have each child/parent write the stuffed animal's name and the child's first name on a precut name tag (we used    teddy bear shapes)

           -on a registration sheet, fill out the child's name, parent's name, phone number, and description of the stuffed animal

          -give each registration entry and name tag a corresponding number           

          -invite each child/parent to pick up their stuffed animal the following day

          -photograph the stuffed animals doing different activities, such as listening to stories, playing in the stacks, etc. (be sure to have at least of few photos of each animal)

          -upload the photos to a laptop

           -if desired, upload the photos to Flickr.com (note: free Flickr accounts have a limit on how many photos you can upload in a month)

• Day of the Storytime:

          -set-up a laptop and projector

          -start the storytime by introducing the Stuffed Animal Sleepover

          -invite the children to pick up their animals

          -show a slide show of the photos (this is really easy to do with Flickr.com)

          -continue with a regular storytime program

• Yes, use a digital, actually several digital cameras if you can, THEN take the cards down to Walgreens, whatever and get the photos processed right away. We tried to upload from the library to a photo site and all it did was cause delay, so physically take the card to wherever you are going to process the photos and wait while they process them.
• We didn't limit kids, but you might have to in a larger community.
• We started with a PJ storytime and then the kids kissed their animals good night.
• We pre-made little scrapbooks for each child, then put photos into each scrapbook. Each child was photographed with their animal prior to leaving the library and each animal was also assigned a number that corresponded with the name of "their" child, so as not to misplace "anyone."
• We also pre-made labels explaining what the animals were doing that we just slapped into the scrapbook beside/beneath the photo. Examples: Talking on the phone, checking out a book, having a snack, playing the Wii, peeking in the book drop etc, etc

It is very staff intensive, but the looks on the kids faces the next day when they each received a mini scrapbook of what their animal had been up to the night before was priceless!!!