At Montgomery County’s Charles B. Stewart Library, Children’s Librarian Ally Graves has built a reputation for transforming everyday curiosity into unforgettable learning experiences. Her recent Bubble Lab, part of her STEAM series, drew a record crowd and even required an impromptu second session. The secret behind the success goes far beyond soap and water. It comes from Ally’s creativity, her connection to her community, and her willingness to step into full character to make science irresistible for kids.
From Childhood Library Regular to STEAM Ringmaster
For Ally, the Charles B. Stewart Library is more than a workplace. It is the library where she grew up, volunteered as a teenager, and watched her mother work in circulation. After earning her MLS, she returned in 2023 as the children’s librarian. Her comfort with technology runs just as deep. With a dad in the tech field and a lifetime spent helping teachers troubleshoot classroom devices, she brings an intuitive understanding of how young patrons engage with digital tools. “I’m very interested in the intersection of technology and creativity,” Ally said. “It’s part of being my age. It puts me in a unique position to look at technology and see what would be helpful for the patrons.”
Library Manager Mat Wilson sees that generational tech fluency as an asset to the library. As he puts it, “I know enough to know I do not know everything and rely on others. I let my people have their ideas about technology, and we go ahead and try them.” That trust has allowed Ally to experiment, innovate, and push creative programming forward.
The Making of a Bubble Lab Sensation
The Bubble Lab began with a simple question. What do kids love that also offers real scientific discovery? Bubbles. Ally had already seen how often bubbles could save a chaotic storytime. Turning that universal joy into a full production felt like the perfect summer hook.
Experimenting beforehand in her garage at home, she created three different bubble solutions using only Dawn soap, water, and karo syrup. Instead of revealing which recipe she expected to work the best, she invited kids to test, observe, and vote. They compared which bubbles were biggest, which lasted the longest, and which had the best consistency. To keep younger children engaged, she brought volunteers up to help mix ingredients and handed out bubble wands so everyone could participate.
The program was so popular that staff added a second show on the spot. Photos of Ally in her lab coat, fully committed to her Professor Ally persona, spread quickly. Parents shared posts, the kids talked nonstop, and a simple, low-cost idea turned into one of the library’s standout events.
Characters, Curiosity, and Community
Professor Ally is only one of the personalities Ally uses to bring learning to life. She regularly switches roles depending on the program. A beret-wearing art instructor. A playful or snarky dungeon master. A relaxed Pokémon guide. Every persona is designed to make children feel welcomed, excited, and brave enough to try something new.
“I am in what I like to call performance mode,” Ally said. “We are having a full-on production when I am doing these characters. The kids really respond to it. Kids like when you fully commit and are willing to look silly.”
She adapts just as quickly to community interest. If a kid mentions an interest in electromagnetism, she builds a program. If homeschool families discuss a new science trend, she researches it. Outreach visits to local schools give her direct feedback from students, teachers, and librarians. Seasonal families spread news by word of mouth, and homeschoolers help share flyers through their tightly connected networks.
Behind every program is a team that makes it possible. Ally credits her coworkers, especially Mat, with helping her bring these ideas to life. Set-up, clean-up, supply gathering, promotion, and flexibility are all part of making each event feel effortless to the families who attend.
Adapting to Grow with the Community
Montgomery is a diverse and growing area, with retirees, young families, longtime residents, and new arrivals from several states. They also have a large homeschool community. Ally sees her role as helping those families feel welcomed and connected. Science becomes a bridge. Performance becomes a tool. Curiosity becomes something shared.
Whether she is blowing up pumpkin volcanoes, guiding kids through fantasy adventures, teaching art, or running a bubble experiment, Ally’s work reflects what librarians do best. They adapt. They listen. They create experiences that help children wonder, learn, and grow. And sometimes, they do it with a lab coat and a gallon of homemade bubble solution.
And as for the winning recipe? Mix 2 cups water, 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap, 3 tablespoons of Karo corn syrup light, and whisk aggressively!
