big talk from small librarise: programming on a shoestring budget
DESCRIPTION
Presented by David Mixdorf, Director & Odessa Meyer, Children’s Librarian, South Sioux City Public Library (NE) on February 28, 2013 as part of the Big Talk From Small Libraries Conference. http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalkTRANSCRIPT
www.southsiouxcity.org/library
Budgeting on a Shoestring
How we do What we do
On little dough
June 1, 2009
• New Library Director Hired• New Children’s Librarian Hired• New Library Board chosen to replace
dismissed board.
Perception of the library
• It was boring.• Nothing to do.• The programs didn’t fit their needs.• The library lacked posters, pictures, books on
display.• Not kid friendly.• Didn’t know we had one.
Circulation checkouts
2008-2009: 22,5312011-2012: 47,790
Computer Usage
2008-2009: 20900
2011-2012: 30910
Adult Programming Attendance
2008-2009: 684
2011-2012: 3011
Children’s Programming Attendance
2008-2009: 1895
2011-2012: 4838
What did we do to accomplish this turn around.
Interview library patrons
Communicate with people who don’t use
the library with questionnaires.
Meet with civic groups and give presentations.
Meet with local agencies and see what the library could do to
assist their agency.
Offer them the use of the library as a
meeting space.
Talk with area schools.
Talk with area businesses.
Do a review of the services your community provides and try to fill in
the gaps.
See what other libraries are doing and recreate their
ideas to fit your needs.
Keep an open mind. Even if an idea doesn’t
catch on right away, keep trying.
Programming
• $4,000 is budgeted• Around 1,500 programs will be
offered this year.• 4 full time staff, 6 part time staff• Volunteers
•800 Tech Classes•300 Youth Programs•400 Adult Programs
Programming with Adults
• Cover to Cover Book Club
Started in 2002
We are regularly involved in One Book/One Siouxland Events
Book Club Resources
• One Book Programs
Resources Available to Libraries
• Nebraska Book Club Wiki http://nebookclub.pbworks.com/w/page/7656389/FrontPage
• NLC Book Club Kits http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/ref/bookclub/
• The Big Read http://neabigread.org/ • Nebraska Humanities Council
http://www.nebraskahumanities.org/speakers/books.html
Resources Available to Book Clubs
• Reading Group Guides http://www.readinggroupguides.com/content/index.asp
• Library Thing http://www.librarything.com/• Shelfari http://www.shelfari.com/ • Good Reads http://www.goodreads.com/
Programming with Adults
• Book clubs- Cover to Cover• Humanities Programming
Humanities Programming
• Connecting with state arts and humanities groups is a great way to do programming.
• Connecting with local and area arts and humanities presenters outside the state can also reap benefits.
• Connect programming to the natural interests of the community
May 4, 2013
http://www.programminglibrarian.org/home.html
Programming Librarian
An initiative of the American Library Association
Public Programs Office
Programming with Adults
• Book clubs- Cover to Cover• Humanities Programming• Community Wide Events
Cardinal Festival
Drive-In MovieKids Programming
Community Garden
Optimist Club Christmas Wreath Auction
Immigration Services
free legal services
Arts in the School
Programming with Adults
• Book clubs- Cover to Cover• Humanities Programming• Community Wide Events• Local and Personal Interests
Local & Personal Interests
Native American/ Western Programming
Musical Programming
Music Contacts
• Concerts in Your Home http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/
• Unbound Booking http://www.unboundbooking.com/
Art Gallery Area
Movies
• Real to Reel- popular movies with contemporary issues.
Movies
• B Movie Night at the Bijou
Classic Movies and Discussion
Special Movie Presentations
• Movies in History celebrating birthdays or anniversaries.
Mango Languages Program
• Talk like a Pirate Day
And There’s More
• Technology classes (62 classes a month)• Seed Saving Library classes• Banned books week discussions• Games day• Trivia Contest• Travelogue’s• Scribes ( a local writers group)
Spanish Classes
50+ Area
Tangled Yarns
Changes in Youth Programming• 2009: Story Times were held consistently twice a week
& two programs that ran once a month
• 2013: We have seven consistent youth programs each week. With special programs as they come up
Encouraged Partnerships with Community
• Move & Music Classes for youth • Story Telling with
local teachers
We also utilize our local Chamberetts, Optimist Club and 4-H Extension Office for programming
Look at the Community You Serve
In our community we saw a need and reached out to fill it.
We have a mother who volunteers to read bilingual books and we make crafts with the children
Bilingual Story Time
Consistency
• Keeping programming consistent is a major help for your families to remember to stop in
• Being consistent in special programs (monthly or yearly) is also a benefit.
LEGO classes & contest - yearly
Make the library FUN!
End of Summer Reading – “Food Fight”
Hanging out at the library
Stuffed Toy
Sleep-Over
Dr. Seuss Celebration!
Summer Reading Programs
World Juggling Day
String Instrument Extravaganza
Sioux Falls Zoo Mobile
Puppet Making
More Summer ReadingBugs from around the World
Nebraska’s Humanities Council – David Marsh Music from around the World
Mad Science
Story Time Crafts
New Area’s
Teen Area - For game playing,
relaxing and reading
Young Kids Area
Toys, Computers & Puppet Stage
Displays
Bulletin Boards
Book Award Display
Books on Display
Teen Murder Mystery Dinner
Love Stinks
Love Stinks was an anti-
Valentines Day party for our
Teen Advisory Board
TAB Halloween Party
Everyone from adult chaperones to teens
dressed up and enjoyed the night of games, fun & music
• Pat-a-Cake Pals• Toddler Time• Preschool Storytime• PIWI- Parents Interacting with Infants• Schools Day Out• Afterschool Children’s Movie Time• Alphabet Party• Let’s Create• Night of Fun• Symphony Concert for Young Audiences (6th gr)
Future
• Casual Conversations (ESL program) • Garden Group• Discussions on the Muslim faith and culture• Passing the written drivers training classes• Spanish Welcome Wagon program• Other types of tech classes• Health classes• Social worker assistance
Future for Youth• Online Story Time• After School Tutoring• Specialty Clubs (LEGO, Science, Poetry, Photography, etc)
• Homeschool Network• Intro to your new hobby• Healthy Families• Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting for Kids• Simple Cooking Classes• Books into Movie Club• Puppetry/Story Telling Group
Odessa Meyer [email protected]
David Mixdorf [email protected]