# Lead magnet ideas for libraries A library’s lead magnet is whatever gets a household to come in or come back: a take-home pack after storytime, a summer reading log, a guide to everything a card includes. Here are ten briefs that open in Chapbook as starting points, each with its reader and voice. Family sign-ups are for parents, guardians and teachers, and your patrons’ records stay out. Updated 30 October 2026. Web page: https://chapbook.ink/ideas/lead-magnets-for-libraries/ ## A brief to start from > A free printable take-home activity pack for a public library's preschool storytime, on the theme of weather. Six coloring pages, two mazes and two matching pages, for ages 3 to 5, with very simple pictures and a note on reading together. Every character is our own, and the sign-up is for parents and guardians, never children. Reader: the parent or guardian who brings a child to storytime. Voice: warm and simple. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=activity_pack&topic=A+free+printable+take-home+activity+pack+for+a+public+library%27s+preschool+storytime%2C+on+the+theme+of+weather.+Six+coloring+pages%2C+two+mazes+and+two+matching+pages%2C+for+ages+3+to+5%2C+with+very+simple+pictures+and+a+note+on+reading+together.+Every+character+is+our+own%2C+and+the+sign-up+is+for+parents+and+guardians%2C+never+children.+Reader%3A+the+parent+or+guardian+who+brings+a+child+to+storytime.+Voice%3A+warm+and+simple.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries ## 10 ideas 1. **A storytime take-home pack** (Activity pack). A storytime ends and the family’s day goes on. A few pages on the week’s theme bring the story home, and parents who ask for the next one have told you they want to hear about your programs. Brief: A free printable take-home activity pack for a public library's preschool storytime, on the theme of weather. Six coloring pages, two mazes and two matching pages, for ages 3 to 5, with very simple pictures and a note on reading together. Every character is our own, and the sign-up is for parents and guardians, never children. Reader: the parent or guardian who brings a child to storytime. Voice: warm and simple. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=activity_pack&topic=A+free+printable+take-home+activity+pack+for+a+public+library%27s+preschool+storytime%2C+on+the+theme+of+weather.+Six+coloring+pages%2C+two+mazes+and+two+matching+pages%2C+for+ages+3+to+5%2C+with+very+simple+pictures+and+a+note+on+reading+together.+Every+character+is+our+own%2C+and+the+sign-up+is+for+parents+and+guardians%2C+never+children.+Reader%3A+the+parent+or+guardian+who+brings+a+child+to+storytime.+Voice%3A+warm+and+simple.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-1 2. **A library detective pack** (Activity pack). Many children don’t know what a call number is or that they can ask a librarian anything. A pack that sends them around the building turns a first visit into something they’re keen to finish. Brief: A free printable activity pack that gets children exploring their public library: finding the picture books, the atlases, the help desk and a book on a subject they choose. Six coloring pages, three word searches, two mazes, two matching pages and three worksheets ("find it on the shelf", "a book I want next", "ask a librarian"), for ages 6 to 8. Every character is our own, and the sign-up is for parents, guardians and teachers, never children. Reader: the parent, guardian or teacher who prints it. Voice: playful, like a treasure hunt. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=activity_pack&topic=A+free+printable+activity+pack+that+gets+children+exploring+their+public+library%3A+finding+the+picture+books%2C+the+atlases%2C+the+help+desk+and+a+book+on+a+subject+they+choose.+Six+coloring+pages%2C+three+word+searches%2C+two+mazes%2C+two+matching+pages+and+three+worksheets+%28%22find+it+on+the+shelf%22%2C+%22a+book+I+want+next%22%2C+%22ask+a+librarian%22%29%2C+for+ages+6+to+8.+Every+character+is+our+own%2C+and+the+sign-up+is+for+parents%2C+guardians+and+teachers%2C+never+children.+Reader%3A+the+parent%2C+guardian+or+teacher+who+prints+it.+Voice%3A+playful%2C+like+a+treasure+hunt.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-2 3. **A local-history pack for older kids** (Activity pack). Older children can be hard to reach with library programs, and your local-history shelf has material no one else can offer. Teachers looking for a local unit may well want it too. Brief: A free printable activity pack on our town's history for older children, taken only from the local-history notes I upload. Two coloring pages, three crosswords, two word searches, two matching pages and three worksheets ("then and now", "interview someone older", "map my street"), for ages 9 to 12. Every character is our own, the pictures show places and objects rather than people from history, and the sign-up is for parents, guardians and teachers, never children. Reader: the parent, guardian or teacher who prints it. Voice: curious and exact, and it invents no dates or events. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=activity_pack&topic=A+free+printable+activity+pack+on+our+town%27s+history+for+older+children%2C+taken+only+from+the+local-history+notes+I+upload.+Two+coloring+pages%2C+three+crosswords%2C+two+word+searches%2C+two+matching+pages+and+three+worksheets+%28%22then+and+now%22%2C+%22interview+someone+older%22%2C+%22map+my+street%22%29%2C+for+ages+9+to+12.+Every+character+is+our+own%2C+the+pictures+show+places+and+objects+rather+than+people+from+history%2C+and+the+sign-up+is+for+parents%2C+guardians+and+teachers%2C+never+children.+Reader%3A+the+parent%2C+guardian+or+teacher+who+prints+it.+Voice%3A+curious+and+exact%2C+and+it+invents+no+dates+or+events.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-3 4. **Puzzles and pictures for older adults** (Activity pack). If your library takes programs to care homes or senior centers, a pack in the adult band, with no childish pictures, respects its readers and gives activity staff something to run on a slow afternoon. Brief: A free printable activity pack for older adults at a library outreach program, on gardens and the seasons. Six coloring pages with detailed patterns, four word searches, four crosswords, two matching pages and two worksheets ("a garden I remember", "favorite books"), for adults, with no childish characters. Every character is our own. Reader: the activity coordinator at a care home or senior center who prints it. Voice: respectful and warm, never talking down. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=activity_pack&topic=A+free+printable+activity+pack+for+older+adults+at+a+library+outreach+program%2C+on+gardens+and+the+seasons.+Six+coloring+pages+with+detailed+patterns%2C+four+word+searches%2C+four+crosswords%2C+two+matching+pages+and+two+worksheets+%28%22a+garden+I+remember%22%2C+%22favorite+books%22%29%2C+for+adults%2C+with+no+childish+characters.+Every+character+is+our+own.+Reader%3A+the+activity+coordinator+at+a+care+home+or+senior+center+who+prints+it.+Voice%3A+respectful+and+warm%2C+never+talking+down.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-4 5. **Everything your card includes** (Lead magnet). People who think a library means only books miss most of what you do. A short guide to what a card includes speaks to new residents and lapsed users, and it’s easy to hand to a local employer or school. Brief: A short guide to everything a library card includes: books and ebooks, audiobooks, databases, printing and scanning, meeting rooms, classes and help with job searches, and how to get a card. Use only the services I list for our library. Reader: someone new to town who has not been inside a library in years. Voice: friendly and proud of the place, second person, with no invented usage figures. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=lead_magnet&topic=A+short+guide+to+everything+a+library+card+includes%3A+books+and+ebooks%2C+audiobooks%2C+databases%2C+printing+and+scanning%2C+meeting+rooms%2C+classes+and+help+with+job+searches%2C+and+how+to+get+a+card.+Use+only+the+services+I+list+for+our+library.+Reader%3A+someone+new+to+town+who+has+not+been+inside+a+library+in+years.+Voice%3A+friendly+and+proud+of+the+place%2C+second+person%2C+with+no+invented+usage+figures.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-5 6. **Start your family history at the library** (Illustrated guide). Family-history research can bring someone back again and again, and they may not know what the library holds. A step-by-step guide puts your records and your reference staff at the start of their search. Brief: An illustrated guide to starting a family history at a public library: what to write down first, census and newspaper records, using our local-history room, keeping notes, and asking a librarian for help, with something to try at the end of each section. Use only the collections I list for our library. Reader: a retiree who has just found a box of old photographs. Voice: patient and exact, one picture per step. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=guide&topic=An+illustrated+guide+to+starting+a+family+history+at+a+public+library%3A+what+to+write+down+first%2C+census+and+newspaper+records%2C+using+our+local-history+room%2C+keeping+notes%2C+and+asking+a+librarian+for+help%2C+with+something+to+try+at+the+end+of+each+section.+Use+only+the+collections+I+list+for+our+library.+Reader%3A+a+retiree+who+has+just+found+a+box+of+old+photographs.+Voice%3A+patient+and+exact%2C+one+picture+per+step.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-6 7. **A year-of-reading log** (Workbook). A reading challenge gives adults a reason to come back each month. A log with a prompt for every month brings a program to people who’d never attend a book group in person. Brief: A year-long reading workbook for adults: a prompt for each month, such as a book from a country you have never visited, a short lesson on finding it at the library, and a page to log what you read and what you thought. Reader: someone who used to read a lot and wants to start again. Voice: encouraging and light, second person, no reading snobbery. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=workbook&topic=A+year-long+reading+workbook+for+adults%3A+a+prompt+for+each+month%2C+such+as+a+book+from+a+country+you+have+never+visited%2C+a+short+lesson+on+finding+it+at+the+library%2C+and+a+page+to+log+what+you+read+and+what+you+thought.+Reader%3A+someone+who+used+to+read+a+lot+and+wants+to+start+again.+Voice%3A+encouraging+and+light%2C+second+person%2C+no+reading+snobbery.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-7 8. **Staff picks, in one repeating shape** (Collection). A recommendation from someone who read the book is worth having. A themed set of picks lets a reader browse your staff’s taste from home, and every entry sends them back to your catalog. Brief: A collection of sixteen staff picks on the theme of books for a long winter, grouped into novels, memoir, history and books for reading aloud. Each entry has a fact list (title, author, who it suits, length, where to find it), then a short paragraph in the librarian's own words. Use only the titles and notes I supply, and invent no quotes or awards. Reader: a patron looking for what to read next. Voice: warm and opinionated. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=collection&topic=A+collection+of+sixteen+staff+picks+on+the+theme+of+books+for+a+long+winter%2C+grouped+into+novels%2C+memoir%2C+history+and+books+for+reading+aloud.+Each+entry+has+a+fact+list+%28title%2C+author%2C+who+it+suits%2C+length%2C+where+to+find+it%29%2C+then+a+short+paragraph+in+the+librarian%27s+own+words.+Use+only+the+titles+and+notes+I+supply%2C+and+invent+no+quotes+or+awards.+Reader%3A+a+patron+looking+for+what+to+read+next.+Voice%3A+warm+and+opinionated.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-8 9. **This season’s programs, in a booklet** (Brochure). Program calendars get lost on a website. A short booklet at the desk and in local waiting rooms puts this season’s dates in people’s hands, and it’s something a partner can share. Brief: A short booklet for a public library's programs this season: storytimes, tech help, the book group, a local author talk, opening hours and how to sign up, with one page for each. Use only the dates and details I supply. Reader: a neighbor who walks past the library every day and has not been in. Voice: warm and inviting, first person plural. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=brochure&topic=A+short+booklet+for+a+public+library%27s+programs+this+season%3A+storytimes%2C+tech+help%2C+the+book+group%2C+a+local+author+talk%2C+opening+hours+and+how+to+sign+up%2C+with+one+page+for+each.+Use+only+the+dates+and+details+I+supply.+Reader%3A+a+neighbor+who+walks+past+the+library+every+day+and+has+not+been+in.+Voice%3A+warm+and+inviting%2C+first+person+plural.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-9 10. **A Friends of the Library issue** (Newsletter). Friends groups and donors want to see where their support goes. A designed issue keeps them informed between appeals, using only facts you can stand behind. Brief: A quarterly newsletter issue from a Friends of the Library group: what the group paid for this quarter, a staff profile, the next book sale, how to volunteer, and a recommended book. Use only the facts and figures I supply, with no patron names. Reader: a local donor and past volunteer. Voice: brief, grateful and factual. Open it in Chapbook: https://chapbook.ink/start/?type=newsletter&topic=A+quarterly+newsletter+issue+from+a+Friends+of+the+Library+group%3A+what+the+group+paid+for+this+quarter%2C+a+staff+profile%2C+the+next+book+sale%2C+how+to+volunteer%2C+and+a+recommended+book.+Use+only+the+facts+and+figures+I+supply%2C+with+no+patron+names.+Reader%3A+a+local+donor+and+past+volunteer.+Voice%3A+brief%2C+grateful+and+factual.&ref=ideas-lead-magnets-for-libraries-10 ## How to choose one Start from the program you want more people at. If storytime is full and the teen room is quiet, the local-history pack is the one to try. If new residents don’t know you exist, write the guide to what a card includes. If your outreach staff go to care homes, make a pack in the adult band, where puzzles are larger and harder and nothing looks like a child’s. Local material is your advantage. No other publisher has your town’s old newspapers or your staff’s taste. Add those notes as sources, ask for nothing to be invented, and have someone who knows the history read every date. Keep patron records out altogether, and check your own policy before you collect anyone’s details for a mailing list. ## Printing and giving it away A pack prints in black on white on US Letter or A4, and **Print one side** leaves the back of each sheet blank, which helps on a public copier and keeps markers from bleeding through. Leave a stack at the children’s desk. For a family that wants it at home, a paid plan gives the pack a book page with a sign-up for the grown-up, and its Publish page makes a QR code for your posters. To print a single sheet today, the free [word search and maze maker](/tools/word-search-and-maze-maker/) runs in your browser. ## Every brief here opens in Chapbook Each idea comes with the paragraph Chapbook needs to start: the topic, the reader and the voice. The brief at the top of this page is a starting point, not a pack we have already made from it. Open it, change the weather to this month’s storytime theme, and set the page mix. Chapbook then proposes titles and an outline for you to approve before anything is drawn. ## Questions ### Can a library make its own activity packs? Yes. Chapbook makes 8 to 40 printable pages of pictures to color, worksheets and puzzles from one paragraph, for ages 3–5, 6–8 or 9–12, or adults. Puzzles cost no credits, and each picture to color uses 5. Every character must be your own, so no storybook characters. ### Who signs up for a children’s pack from a library? A parent, guardian or teacher, never the child. On a paid plan the book page’s form says so, asks for the grown-up’s own email and name, and has a box they must tick. Check that this fits your own policy on patron information before you use it. ### Can a pack use a character from a picture book we read at storytime? No. A page that names a character someone else owns is refused, and nothing is charged for it. Choose the theme of the book instead, such as weather or bears, and let the pack have characters of its own. ### Can I add our patron or circulation records as a source? No. Chapbook sends your sources to AI providers and asks you to leave sensitive personal data out, so keep patron names and borrowing records out of it entirely. Use your program calendar and your own local-history notes instead.