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Summer Library ProgramsAnd Other Programs---For Adults!
Chris Hamburg (Two Rivers) Megan Olson (Cumberland) Heather Johnson (River Falls)
Summer Library Programs--And Other Programs--For Adults!
● Inspiration and ideas for creating summer library programs for adults
● Adult library programming ideas to use throughout the year
Adult Summer Library Programs
WHY SHOULD THE KIDS HAVE ALL OF THE FUN?
Why Should Libraries Have Adult Summer Programs?
Adult Summer Library Programs Can:
● Offer adults the opportunity to have fun, explore new interests, and interact with one another.● Offer a good role model for children enrolled in summer reading programs.● Encourage adults to try new literary genres.● Give the library opportunities to highlight books of interest to adults. Create positive publicity for the library.● Attract new segments of the adult population to the library.● Increase registration and circulation. ● Increase participation in library events and activities.● Offer outreach opportunities to the community.● Engage in collaboration opportunities with community organizations and businesses.● Support the reading needs of the adult population and the whole community.
Information Source: 2015 Collaborative Summer Library Program Adult Manual (p.8)
Collaborative Summer Library Program
In response to library requests, the Collaborative Summer Library Program
added the adult component in 2010.
Image Source: http://www.cslpreads.org/programs/archives/newer-archives/42-programs/adult-program/159-adult-programs15.html
Adult Summer Library Program Ideas and Inspirations
★ Heather Johnson: Adult Services and Circulation Librarian at the River Falls Public Library in River Falls, WI
★ Megan Olson: Library Director at the Thomas St. Angelo Public Library of Cumberland, WI
★ Chris Hamburg: Adult Services Librarian at the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers, WI
River Falls Public Library
http://www.riverfallspubliclibrary.org/Population: 15, 000+
River Falls Public Library
In 2003 and 2007 the River Falls Public
Library added an adult component to
their Summer Library Program
River Falls Public Library2011
Adult Book Review withweekly prize drawings for
Chamber Bucks
2012Adult Book Review and
Local Landmarks Scavenger Hunt
River Falls Public Library2013
Book Club in a Bar was added as a part of
the adult summer reading program
River Falls Public LibraryThe Book Club in a Bar program has provided the library with the opportunity to:● Engage in and create literary conversations with adults in the community● Attract new patrons to the library from different demographics● Collaborate and partner with local businesses● Market and promote the library through word-of-mouth and other medias
River Falls Public Library2014
● Adult Book Review● Book Club in a Bar● Weekly Activity
Sheets for “Mystery Prizes”
River Falls Public Library2015
● Book Review Program● Activity Sheets for Mystery Prizes● Book Club in a Bar● Something New……..
SOMETHING NEW...
➢ Bigger and more appealing prize incentives (Hotel packages, dining gift certificates, gift baskets, etc.)
➢ Read and Run Book Discussion Group➢ Adult Painting party➢ Add a prize wheel for the Book Review
Program➢ Book Review Bingo or Tic-Tac-Toe➢ Movie Night➢ Any of the new Program Suggestions in the
2015 Collaborative Summer Library Program Adult Manual
River Falls Public LibraryThe “Villians”
(What Didn’t Work)
● Book-a-Month Club in 2003● Adult Book Review is starting to drop off in
numbers ● Lack of advertising and publicity
The “Heroes”(What Worked)
● Publicity, Publicity, Publicity!● Book Club in a Bar● Social Media● Weekly Activity Sheets ● Mystery Prizes● Pairing Adult Summer Reading Programs
with already existing library programs● Local Landmarks Scavenger Hunt
Thomas St. Angelo Public Library of Cumberland
Population: 2,170Service Population: 5,978
Director since: June 2013
Thomas St. AngeloDuring an internship at Matheson Memorial Library I experienced my first Adult summer program with Angela Meyers :-) The program was AWESOME
I decided to take what I learned to Cumberland during my first full summer. Prior to me, there was no adult summer reading programs.
This is what happened….
Summer 2014 - Library Bingo!To participate patrons filled out a registration card with a few basics. After they registered they were given a ticket for a free book and a bingo sheet
The bingo sheets were double sided. The front was the bingo square, the back had an area for reviews and a super short survey on the program.
Each completed Bingo card was entered for prizes
Patrons could chose from 3 bingo sheets and could complete as many as they wanted.
At the end of each month we drew two prize winners
Our patrons were really excited and interested in the program - we had over 60 people sign up. Awesome, right? well...
- Library Bingo!Summer 2014
What went wrong!Out of the 60 patrons that we had sign up - we didn’t even get 15 bingo sheets back and the ones we did get back were from 4 different patrons.
I learned - I went too big, too soon.
Patrons loved the idea of an adult summer reading program.But making our first summer such an elaborate program didn’t work
Start small!
*I will totally do bingo again, I will just make a 4x4 or even 3x3 bingo square
Summer 2015 - Mini Challenges!Taking what we learned last year - we are going smaller in 2015 with mini challenges.
Same concept as library bingo - each challenge will encourage patrons to learn more about library services and to push them out of their reading comfort zone - our theme is Escape the Ordinary, after all!
I am complete comic nerd so this summers theme has me very excited!
We are constructing six mini challenges. All challenges will be available at once so patrons can work at their own pace.
Each mini challenge will be printed similar to a Post Card. One portion will be used for the contact information and the other portion will have the challenge.
Each Challenge portion of the ticket will be put on a bulletin board so other patrons can see what books people have liked and - hopefully - gather inspiration!
There will be one or two grand prizes at the end of the summer. If a person completes all the challenges they will have 6 chances to win.
Summer 2015 - Mini Challenges!
Mini Challenge - Post Cards
Prototype - still working out my ideas
Funding.Our community is small - so we suffer from a lot of donor fatigue.
2014: I didn’t ask for any donations and our Friend’s group gave us $150.00 for prizes, which we turned into six $25.00 Chamber certificates. I also used duplicates that I accidently ordered and a few tote bags from the summer reading catalog. I was hoping the program would cause such buzz businesses would take notice for the next year.
2015: I again will not be asking for donations but instead will be asking the Friends for some money to buy items. I am going to go to businesses and local artisans and ask for a discount or donation in return for my purchase. I am hoping this will create goodwill and allow me to plug the program some more.
MarketingMarketing is one of my favorite things to do, so the majority of work is done in house.
I do have a print shop in the community that I use to print my items and she works with us to try and get us the best price.
I have a bi-weekly news article and a weekly radio spot that I use to promote programming (both are free). I also send press releases out to area newspapers and websites.
We do the traditional methods of blasting it out on social media and putting flyers up around town as well.
Our website is currently under construction!
Lester Public LibraryRead. Discover. Connect. Enrich. www.lesterlibrary.org
City Population: 11,600Service Population: 16,900
Adult Programming Budget: $500
Lester Public LibraryAdult Summer Reading
Review Cards● My first real attempt at programming for adults● Since 2002, 10 Weeks Long● Rating system & 2-3 sentence reviews● Cut off bottom for raffle entry
So How Does it Work?Patrons sign up at the Help Desk
When they turn in their first review they get the participation prize
Every review turned in earns raffle entry
Drawings every Friday for $10 chamber buck gift certificates, book bags, “get out of fines free” cards, free book from on-going book sale
Grand Prize Drawing at the end of the summer—usually $100 chamber bucks and $50 chamber buck prizes
Reviews are anonymous once raffle part is cut off, cards are used in EXTREMELY popular displays
Incentives & PrizesWhere do we get them?
www.4imprint.comwww.janway.com
What do they cost?Bulk of entire yearly programming budget
● $200-$400 for sign up prizes● $250 for weekly and grand prize
4imprint offers One-by-One grants● Favor local requestors ● Ideal for starting a program● Can be requested more than once
Where do I get the money?$500 adult programming budgetLibrary Foundation
What Prizes?
Marketing● Mentioned in ALL Youth Materials● Circ Staff Actively Promotes● Decorate Entire Library● Newspaper/Radio● Website & Social Media● Review Displays● Future Plans? Online Reviews
Does it work?
The Bad & The Ugly● Prize for the most books read● Review display can be
challenging to keep filled● Finding the right incentives at
the right price● How many incentives do you
even buy?
What’s Next?Winter Reading Challenge2 months, five books + 2 sentence reviews = adorable polar bear mug
Want more of a challenge?
Pick books that meet certain criteria, read ‘em, review ‘em.
Win the bear mug AND an entry into the $50 chamber buck raffle
Remember, the average person only reads 6 books a year so this is definitely a challenge!
BEYOND Summer Reading● More of a challenge than reading programs● Need to grow awareness in the community of the library
as a source of adult programming● Marketing is a much bigger factor in determining success
Why adults attend programs● Appeals to intellectual curiosity “life-long learners”● Learn something new● Passionate about the topic● Meet new, like-minded people● Spend time with friends● Recreation/Entertainment
Thinking about who will be attending your program and why is critical for choosing the right time and marketing tools.
Scholar for Life● Connected with the Dean of local UW campus● Dean wanted faculty to be more visible in
community● We wanted presenters for lectures
The Result? A highly successful partnership that features professors sharing their ongoing research or favorite lectures with the general public.
● 2 fall and 2 spring lectures every year● Cost: Free
Local History Alive● Local “experts” sharing their knowledge
of a particular aspect of local history● Speakers include amateur historians,
curators, doctoral candidates, history professors, “people with a passion”
The Result? A successful program covering a wide range of topics from architecture & shipwrecks to politics and people.
● 4-6 lectures per year● Cost: Free
Sustainable Saturdays● Teaching homemaking skills that we no longer learn
from our parents or grandparents.● Asked the UW-Extension for names of people who
could teach gardening, canning, cheese making, chicken keeping, spinning, etc.
● Library staff were an excellent source for contacts and instructors.
The Result? A successful program covering a wide range of topics that brought some new users to the library.
● 1 Saturday a month● Cost: $25 gift certificates as thank you
Multigenerational
Program Marketing● Series marketing as well as individual programs● “Branded Marketing” so all bookmarks and
posters for the series look similar● Newspaper articles - still reach a huge segment
of my community● Facebook, Facebook, Facebook!
Defining SuccessWhat is a good turnout?
● Different expectations for different programs● Not just about statistics● Increase awareness of the library● Requests for similar programs● Volunteers● Donations
