BookCrossing
Thanksmom has gathered a list of the BookCrossing SSM's to date. What fun these have been! . Thanks, Thanksmom! (I just had to say that!)
When: June 18, 2006
How: "To honour Sir Paul, we invite the BookCrossing Community to participate in our SSM: Will You Still Need Me? Will You Still Read Me When I'm 64? Dedicate your release to Paul McCartney and the Beatles. Find books that echo a Beatles tune or remind you of where you were when you heard one of their songs. Release a title with with the names of one of the Beatles in it or as an author. Find a release location that brings the Fab Four, rockers, the sixties, or anything that you can find the tie in for. It'll be our way of sending a postcard, dropping a line."
SSM 35: Remembering
When: May 28, 2006
How: "Memorial Day Weekend often kicks off the start of the season by encouraging us to remember our past. Even if you live elsewhere in the world, we encourage you to join us in remembrance and participate in SSM 35 Remembering. Consider releasing a book related to the past either by title, content, or by place of release. It can be a book related to local history, genealogy, family history, immigrants, left at an area historical society, museum or memorial. Or you can choose to remember those lost to war or disaster. It can be a book that reminds you of a favorite aunt, or recalls the day you met your sweetheart. The choice is yours."
SSM 34: You Ought to Be In Pictures! Celebrate the anniversary of the day that the Eastman Dry Plate and Chemical Company manufactured the first motion picture film.
When: March 26, 2006
How: "Pick a book that has been made into a movie, or that was written from a movie, one that centers on Hollywood, Bollywood, Indie films, actors, producers, directors — the possibilities are endless. Where to release it? Well, the obvious place is near or at a local movie house, but the choice is yours."
SSM 33: Celebrate World Book Day February 24 through March 5, 2006.
When: " March 2, 2006, is World Book Day in the UK. We couldn't agree more that books deserve their own day. In fact, we think they deserve several days, and so we are extending this SSM well beyond the boundaries of Saturday and Sunday. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is this: between now and March 5, go out and make the world a library!"
How: "Books about the world, about books, released at locations that fit with the theme of world and books all count. Be creative! If you want to focus on one specific day, try for March 2."
SSM 32: Celebrating the Year of the Dog
When: January 29, 2006 is the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dog.
How: "We suggest that you find a book that releates to this event, and release it on the 29th at a spot that seems to cry out "Happy Chinese New Year" to you: Chinese restaurant, pet shop near the puppies, next to the champagne in the store. It's really up to you!"
SSM 31: "Fast away the old year passes. Hail the new, with our SSM 31. Take a moment to celebrate the positive, the hopes for this world we all share."
When: New Year's Eve
How: Cast your book to the BookCrossing Fates at a place that celebrates the freshness and new start a new year offers, kind of like making a wish on birthday candles. It can be a quiet park bench at a moonlit lake, a New Year's Celebration or even Times Square! Choose your book to reflect your hopes for the coming year. Then close your eyes tight, make a wish and set your book free.
SSM 30: As we move into the holiday season, this joyous time of kindness and sharing, SSM 30 will celebrate the greatest gift of all-children.
When: Sunday, November 27, 2005, and repeated again on Sunday, December 4, 2005.
How: So grab a book geared to or about children that celebrates what is special to you. Maybe it's a childhood favorite or a new classic like The Polar Express. If it's holiday themed, so much the better. Leave your book where you think a child is likely to find it, or perhaps a place where an adult will find it and read it with a child. Maybe a public playground or a park. (And if you should want to release on Saturday so that there's more chance that a child will find it, it's OK by us!)
SSM 29: This week, we celebrate the very thing that brought us together in the first place-the Internet.
When: Sunday, October 23, 2005
How: Grab your book and head to an Internet cafe, college campus, wi-fi zone or some place with free computer access. Leave your book there and if there is an actual computer at the release spot, leave our web page up after you've logged out and left the book! An extra hint to people to catch the book, so to speak.
SSM 28: To welcome back SSMs, and to celebrate our 400,000 member, this week's mission has a family theme, because isn't that what we are around here?
When: Sunday, September, 2005
How: First, think about all of the people that you have met through BC, either in real life, through the forums, or through a trade. Pick one of those people. Now, look through your books and find one that reminds you of this person. Or, do it the other way. Look through your books until you see one that reminds you of someone from the BC family. Now, find a release location related to this person or this book for a BookCrossing family themed release.
SSM 27: This Sunday we celebrate July 4th, or Independence Day, here in the States. Our BookCrossing friends in the UK also celebrate July 4th, or Thank Goodness They're Gone Day. And the rest of you blithely slide through yet another Sunday without much concern. But let's keep this one non-political and do an SSM based simply on independence, something to which all oppressed books should aspire. Pick one or more lucky literary prisoners from your bookshelf jail and let them go thusly...
When: Sunday, July 4, 2004
How: Pick a book, release zone or release method that symbolizes the concept of "independence" for you.
SSM 26: BookCrosser sp4home suggested in the forums that we do a Father's Day-related SSM next weekend.
When: Sunday, June 20, 2004
How: While we acknowledge the fact that Father's Day isn't celebrated in some countries, it's still nice to honor one's father, grandfather, step-father, etc. Either do a controlled release directly to your target catcher, or, for the more adventurous souls out there, you might try to hide a book where your target will least expect it. If you don't have a target person available, try leaving a book in a fatherly type place.
SSM 25: Set up an OBCZ in your neighborhood!
When: This coming weekend, May 22-23, 2004.
How: Take one or more books, along with your confidence, to start the crossing zone at an independent cafe, book store, or other small, friendly shop near your home.. Also, please consider printing out the Crossing Zone poster and, with the shop-owner's permission, displaying it near the book release shelf or table, and perhaps also in the front window.
SSM 24: Long-time BookCrosser Richard Loeffler (screen name rloeffle) of La Ronge, Saskatchewan died suddenly on April 17th, 2004. Richard currently has the most books registered on BookCrossing (7,551) and was responsible for distributing most of them around small communities in the north of his Canadian province. He was employed by the library system in La Ronge, and used his library contacts to spread the BookCrossing word widely across isolated Northern communities.
Richard was passionate about committing 'random acts of literacy' anonymously. He was featured in a great USA Weekend story on BookCrossing, and did that and much more to help promote our cause.
Please help me commemorate this man's life and BookCrossing legacy with SSM24...
When: Sunday, May 2, 2004
How: Find a community or neighborhood near you that is underserved by libraries or bookstores. Print out a copy of the USA Weekend article and include it inside the book.
SSM 23: SSM 23 is food for thought.
When: Sunday, April 11, 2004.
How: A themed release would be fun here. For example, release a diet book in the ice cream freezer. Or a vegetarian book amongst the tofu. You get the idea; just make sure the book is well-labeled so shoppers know it's free. Pictures would be a big plus!
SSM 22: SSM 22 is a repeat of our very first SSM. Press coverage has been a bit slow, so let's stir things up a bit and surprise some journalists when they arrive at work tomorrow. And, who knows, maybe you will run into another BookCrosser while you're there!
When: Sunday, March 28, 2004, at Sunset wherever you live.
How: Leave a well labelled, bagged book hanging from a tree or sign outside of the largest newspaper editorial office near you.
SSM 21: This weekend's SSM21 celebrates the 21st day of March, which is either the Vernal Equinox (first day of Spring, Ostara) or the Autumnal Equinox (first day of Fall) depending upon your relationship to the equator.
When: Sunday, March 21, anytime that day, although morning might be a good time for a spring release.
How: Somewhere that signifies Spring (or Fall) to you personally. Greening lawns or flower beds or park benches might work for Spring. Fall is more difficult - let's see what the Aussies come up with. :)
RELEASE METHOD: If you're releasing outdoors, don't forget to protect the book(s) from the elements with a plastic bag. For Spring, you might tape a flower to the book, and set it next to a park bench. Get extra credit for books with subjects related to Spring (or Fall). And remember to take pictures!
SSM 20: Peace. In Reno's words,"This ssm is dedicated to the victims and families of the horrible bombing yesterday in Madrid, Spain. Our thoughts and prayers go out these souls, and to all 10,041 of our Spanish BookCrossing members. It was suggested by yago and grooble in a forum post that we have a SSM for Peace in honor of the tragedy, and I can think of nothing more fitting."
When: Sunday, March 14, at sunset wherever you live
How: Release books that inspire peace in any place that signifies peace or needs more peace, in your personal opinion.
SSM 19: You go, girl! International Women's Day
When: March 7, at sunset wherever you live.
How: Leave books by or about women at women's centers, shows, or places related to women. If possible, include a blurb inside explaining IWD.
SSM 18: Leap Year
WHEN: Sunday, February 20, at sunset wherever you live
HOW: Leave a book anywhere, but choose one that relates in some way to time, astronomy, or leaps (of any sort). Extra Credit for high, but visible placements, that require the finder to leap for the catch.
SSM 17: Starbucks
WHEN: Sunday, February 22, 2004 at sunset
HOW: Release at a Starbucks Coffee Shop. Talk to the manager first to make sure it's okay to release there.
SSM 16: St. Valentine's Day
WHEN: Saturday, February 14, 2004 any time
HOW: A "controlled" release to someone you love, or a "wild" release in a florist shop, candy store, card store, etc.
SSM 15: Spiritual
WHEN: Sunday, February 8, 2004, at sunset
HOW: release in a place of spiritual worship
SSM 14: The Super Bowl
WHEN: This Saturday evening or Sunday morning, January 31st or February 1st, whichever is more convenient for you.
HOW: Leave a book, preferably one related to American football, New England (Patriots), the Carolinas (Panthers), TV commercials, or professional sports, in a section of the grocery store or supermarket where pre-game party shoppers will be stocking up before the big event. Recommendations: beverage cooler, chips aisle, salsa shelves — you get the idea.
SSM 13: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial
WHEN: This Sunday, January 18, 2004 at sunset
HOW: Leave a book, preferably one related to civil rights or, ideally, about Dr. King himself, on the seat of a bus or bus stop near you.
SSM 12: Christmas Tree
WHEN: Sunday evening, December 21, 2003 at sunset
HOW: Hang a book, protected in a clear plastic baggie, from a Christmas Tree like an ornament. If you can't find a Christmas Tree, find some other public holiday display and do what you can with it.
SSM 11: Video Rental Store
WHEN: Anytime this weekend (Dec 5/6/7, 2003), but doing it early Friday or Saturday evening will result in the best chance of a shopper finding it before the staff does
HOW: Release books in video rental stores. Release a book behind the movie to which it's related in some way. (The obvious case is that the movie was based on the book, but let's see if anyone makes other creative connections.)
SSM 10: Animal Shelters
WHEN: Anytime between today and this Sunday, November 30, 2003 depending upon the open hours of the facility.
HOW: Release books in animal shelters. Use your imagination, but animal-related books are a must. As an idea, you might leave a book on the care of a particular breed of dog right next to the kennel of that same type of dog - it'd make a wonderful gift for the new owner. Talk to the shelter staff to let them know what you're doing; most of them should appreciate your efforts.
SSM 9: Less Fortunate
WHEN: Sunday, November 23, 2003 at sunset
HOW: Release books and food/clothing to the less fortunate. Any hostel, homeless shelter, food bank, soup kitchen, or other place where the people less fortunate than you or I go for food or shelter. Leaving behind some appropriate food or warm clothing, along with a book or two, would be a good idea.
SSM 8: Statue-tory Release
WHEN: Sunday, November 16, 2003 at sunset
HOW: Release at any public statue. Use your imagination - many statues have outstretched hands perfect for holding a book, or pointing fingers from which to hang a book in a bag, or... you get the idea.
SSM 7: Halloween
WHEN: Friday evening, Oct 31, 2003
HOW: At your front door have "scary" children's books given to one or more children in lieu of candy. (A paperback would be best - don't want to make their candy bag too heavy to carry.) A variation would be to set out some scary adult books, too, for the parents who accompany their kids - if you do this, make sure that everyone knows they're not for kids!
SSM 6: Public Radio
WHEN: Sunday, October 26, 2003 at Sunset
HOW: Release books In front of, or inside, your nearest public radio broadcast station.
A well-labeled book, ideally something related to the radio industry. The more unusual the book and/or release method, the better the chance they'll talk about it on the air!
SSM 5: Banned Books Week
WHEN: Sunday, September 21, 2003 at Sunset
HOW: You can start with the list of the 100 Most-Challenged Books at http://www.ala.org/bbooks. Release on the steps of your local city hall (city government office) a well-labeled book, ideally from the 100 Most-Challenged list, left on or near the steps, and protected from the elements as needed. You might get creative by "hanging" the book from a tree limb, or "jailing" it inside a small cage, etc.
SSM 4: Firefighters
WHEN: Thursday, September 11, 2003.
HOW: Release at a fire station near you a well-labeled book left outside the door, and protected from the elements as needed. EXTRA CREDIT: a handwritten note inside expressing your appreciation for the work they do and the risks they take on our behalf.
SSM 3: Back to College
WHEN: Sunday, August 31, 2003 at Sunset
HOW: Release at the student union (or central student gathering place) of a college or university campus near you a well-labeled book, left in a highly visible yet unusual location (those wacky college kids should appreciate your creativity)
SSM 2: Hospitals
WHEN: Sunday, August 24, 2003 at Sunset
HOW: Release at the waiting room or visitor's lounge in any hospital near you, ideally outside an emergency or surgery facility. A well-labeled book, preferably one celebrating and uplifting the human condition, left on a table or chair.
SSM 1: Newspaper
WHEN: Sunday, August 17, 2003
HOW: Release at the largest newspaper office near you. Put the book in a clear plastic bag, hanging by string from tree or sign outside office building