unprogramming for teens: offering engaging, teen-centered programs

Unprogramming for Teens:Offering Engaging, Teen-Centered ProgramsAmy Koester | The Show Me LibrarianSt. Charles City-County Library District

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What is unprogramming?

And how does it fit with teens at CPL?

What is unprogramming?

And how does it fit with teens at CPL?

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From CPL’s Mission:

Working together, we strive to provide equal access to information, ideas and knowledge through books, programs and other resources.

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From CPL’s Vision for our Future:

Create a variety of new high-quality educational and cultural programming according to community interest and library capacity.

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Why do YOU program with teens?

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The Unprogramming Potion

● Ice breaker● Library tie-in● Stations of stuff● Social time● Food

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Teen Unprograms

● Chat & Chew● Open Afternoons● Theme Clubs● Movie Events● Zombie Homecoming

Chat & Chew

● Ice breaker: Guess genre by cover● Library tie-in: Lots of books on view● Stations of stuff: Sticky note reading recs,

book speed dating● Social time: Round robin book talks● Food: Coffee & donuts, Soda & chips

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Open Afternoons

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● Ice breaker: Favorite YouTube videos● Library tie-in: Books on crafting, videogames● Stations of stuff: Duct tape crafts, board

games, videogames● Social time● Food: Soda, chips & cookies

Theme Clubs

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● Ice breaker: Memory game, Mad Libs prompt● Library tie-in: Plenty of materials on view● Stations of stuff: Watching/listening area,

board game, candy sushi, music bingo● Social time● Food: Ramen & poky, Drinks & snacks

Movie Events

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● Ice breaker: Movie quotes, Cornucopia game● Library tie-in: View-alikes, soundtracks● Stations of stuff: Cups stacking, Hunger

Games tasks, Fan art● Social time● Food: Soda, popcorn & cookies

Zombie Homecoming

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● Ice breaker: Favorite zombie movies/stories● Library tie-in: Zombie books for checkout● Stations of stuff: Facepainting, zombie felts,

dance floor, “Thriller”● Social time● Food: Punch, soda, gummy brains & snacks

Getting in the Mindset

● Continual idea-gathering● Talk with teens -- Teen Advisory Board● Get comfortable with informality

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Start with Your Own Programs

● What worked?● What did teens like?● What will you keep

in mind for future programs?

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What’s in your basket of programming tricks?

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Resources to Get Started

Resources to Get Started

Resources to Get Started

Resources to Get Started

Resources to Get Started

Share your ideas & successes!

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Questions?akoester@stchlibrary.org@amyeileenkhttp://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com

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