What is a Bifolkal Kit? A bifolkal kit is a multimedia presentation to spur discussion and memories.
Bifolkal kits provide captivating, informing, and stimulating activities for older adults. Focusing
on reminiscence, remembering, and reflecting, the kits can be used with any group of older adults
or mixed-age groups. Each kit is designed to unlock remarkable stories, humorous anecdotes, and
first-person accounts of history, experience, and life.
Every kit features:
A Program manual--w/ general programming tips, specific instructions, how to use the kit w/
mixed age groups, plus additional ideas and resources.
A media presentation (video or slide cassettes)
25 sing along booklets--sing-along songs, poems, and other discussion starters in large,
easy-to-read type.
An additional cassette with sing-alongs on one side and stories on the other.
Things to Touch--Objects, textures, shapes, scented items, and more, as varied as the kit
topic.
Additional Activities--skits, maps, crossword puzzles, etc.
How Do I Borrow One? Check out our descriptions of the Bifolkal kits below. Just call the
Outreach office at 415.499.7544 to request the kit you are interested in. The kit can be
picked up at our office of whichever Marin County Free Library you specify. Because the kits
are scheduled ahead for use, it is important that they are picked up and returned on time.
Bifolkal Kit Descriptions
A Time Machine Called Memory
A video which describes Bifolkal kits and the most effective way to use them. Best for group
leaders or program planners.
Remembering 1924
Here are the sights and sounds, the moods and music of the twenties. For those too young to
remember, they offer the feel of the times. For those old enough to remember, they bring back
memories of everyday life. Whatever your age, you won't want to miss this kit about the Jazz Age,
the Era of Wonderful Nonsense.
Remembering Birthdays: Celebrate!
Birthdays past, present, and future, anticipated, memorable, forgettable, and fun with poetry,
music, international traditions, and plans for the next year.
Remembering County Fairs
There was a time in a more rural America when the fair offered the opportunity for days off from
work to show off a year's work raising animals, sewing, crafting, preserving, and baking.
Memories of that time are recaptured in this kit.
Remembering the Depression
Voices from the Depression describe in story and folk song how people made it through hard times.
Remembering Fall
What it takes to get ready for winter has certainly changed through the years. Descriptions of
the autumn morning activities of an independent farmer as he thinks about getting his place ready
for winter.
Remembering Fun and Games
Remembering board games, cards, recess, backyard fun, impromptu games.
Remembering Home
What is the heart of the home for each of us? We all need a place where we feel comfortable,
where we feel at home. A favorite item, photograph, texture, sound, scent, or taste may come
from the past to make someone feel more at home in the present.
Remembering the Homefront
Three generations of Americans now living have been directly affected by World War II, the
veterans of the war and the home front, their parents, and their baby boom children. Share
and compare experiences and insights about that war, and the atmosphere surrounding it.
Remembering Music
Music is the universal language. Just a few notes can bring back the times and the emotions of
our lives. Music can calm, energize, create a mood, define a generation.
Remembering Pets
Here is a warm and fuzzy reminder of the animals who have found a place in our homes and hearts.
Music, skits, pictures, and readings are all designed to prompt lively conversation about pets
and their merits.
Remembering School Days
A look back at the way school used to be. The video Great Slate Escape explores the memories
of the narrator's grandmother, who started school in a one-room school house, went to a city
high school and college, remembers Chautauquas, and continues to learn.
Remembering Summertime
Memories, songs, images, and sharing thoughts from "the good 'ol Summertime."
Remembering Train Rides
Remembering the era when trains were the only (and some still think the best!) way to get around.
Remembering Work Life
Most of us have spent most of our lives working. Use this kit to gather the stories of paid jobs
and work done at home or on the farm. Compares work days present and past.
Slide Programs/SLIDEAS
Arbor Day
Quilts
Christmas
Reading
Elections
School
Fall Color
Shopping
Fathers
Spring in Bloom
Halloween
Summer Porch
How To Be A Kid Again
Sweet Memories
Joy of Food
Thanksgiving
Manners
Toy Store Window
Mothers
Vacations
My Favorite Toy
Valentine's Day
Our Heroes
Weddings
Postcards
Winter Snow and Ice
Seasonal List of Slide Programs
Winter: Winter Snow and Ice, Quilts, Christmas Spring: Arbor Day, Spring in Bloom, Valentine's Day Summer: Fathers, Mothers, Postcards, Summer Porch, Vacations, Weddings Fall: Elections, Fall Color, Halloween, Joy of Food, School, Thanksgiving Anytime: Toy Store Window, Sweet Memories, Reading, Our Heroes, My Favorite Toy, Manners,
Joy of Food, How To Be a Kid Again
Actifiles (Songs, Stories, & Activities for Seniors)
Christmas Actifile
Thanksgiving Actifile
Activity Kits (Audio tape, songs, stories, poems)
An Album of Friends
Home Keys (Remembering Home)*
Pull a Lung (Remembering Train Rides)*
Reigning Cats and Dogs (Remembering Pets)*
A Fair Booklet (Remembering County Fairs)*
Notes and Notations (Remembering the Fashion)*
*Abbreviated version of BiFolkal Kit
Visit Kits (Designed for visiting individuals)
Advertising
Courting
Cure-Alls
Fabrics
Gardening
Hair
Hats
Main Street
Picnics
Table Games
Vacations
Visits
Picture Sets (large, in box)
The Twenties
Technology
The Sixties
Famous People
Occupations
Events
Transportation
