the odyssey presentation by lalita sudhakar and bettina kinchant at the lianza waikato/bay of plenty...

The Odyssey

Presentation by Lalita Sudhakar and Bettina Kinchant

at the

LIANZA Waikato/Bay of Plenty Region Weekend School

Gisborne, 16-18 May 2014

Lalita Sudhakar, Team LeaderBettina Kinchant, Community Services Librarian

South Waikato District Libraries, TokoroaMay 2014

The OdysseyPresentation Content

1. Background2. The programme3. The content4. Marketing and promotion5. The benefits6. Going forward7. Some feedback



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• Originated at Manukau City Libraries and was sold throughout New Zealand in the early 2000s.

• Practical program• Easily adapted• Public libraries and school libraries. • We bought the programme in 2004• Run for the last 10 years now.

Background

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South Waikato District Libraries, TokoroaAugust 2013

South Waikato District Libraries’ Odyssey - Teen Reading Programme • Incentive based reading programme for our

teens (aged between 11 to 17 years). • We have been running the programme for the

last 10 years. • In 2004 we had 17 teens take part and this

number increased to 61 in 2012.

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The Programme content:

• In 2004 we ran the programme for 8 weeks. • Shorten the programme in 2009 to 6 weeks.• `Read, Report-in, and get Rewarded’. • In 2012 we started excepting written book

reviews – emailed or handed in.

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Marketing and Promotions:

• Promotions – flyers out in June• Visits to schools• Assembly talks• Flyers put in library• Radio advertising

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The Odyssey Rules: As of 2013

• Enrolment is a requirement.• Teens must be between the ages of 11-17

years. • Books read must be from our library -

young adult or adult fiction.• Some selected books from the junior area.

For ease of identification these get green dots on them.

• No graphics or magazines.• Non-fiction may be accepted.

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Report-ins• Only 2 books at each report-in. • Books that have already been reported on CAN

NOT be reported on again• Verbal review of the books read ( no longer then

10 minutes ) • Two random questions asked.• Answers must be correct to receive your points• Written book reviews to be done on template

provided • Two written reviews per day accepted with at least

one report-in per week.• Points are given per page read.

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Enrolments• Limits to enrolment numbers• Age limit from 12 – 17 years. Changes in Enrolments • In 2010 no limits for enrolments. • In 2010 changed the age limit

from 11-17.

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The Rewards System:

• The `band' system - For the first three years.• There were three bands – number of books read earned

the teens the band they got in. • The rewards were items we had purchased.• In 2007 we introduced a point system based on pages

read. ie- 001-200 pages = 1 point- 201-400 pages = 2 points- 401-600 pages = 3 points- 601-800 pages = 4 points

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The Rewards System:• In 2010 we changed the points system to 1

point per page read.• First choice of a prize – most points earned.

• All rewards are given out at the finale.

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Changes in the Rewards System• Competition at same reading level.• The prezzy cards and vouchers – awesome and

appealing.

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The Finale:• One big finale for all teens at the end of

the 6 weeks.• In the beginning – formal, guest speakers,

parents and families.• Last 4 years - fun night just for the teens

who participated in the programme. - show a movie and play some games.

• Fun activity afternoon – since 2011.

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Evaluations:• Questionnaires.• Verbal.• Some of these comments are:

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Parents’ comments:• This is a fantastic reading programme. My first son has for the very

first time been encouraged to read. He has developed a love for reading over this time which he never had before. I am very thankful for that and he is very motivated to have a part in it next year and is motivated to keep on reading. Thank you

• I think the concept is great getting kids to read, hopefully they will continue to read for the sake of reading and not for the prizes. From my grandson’s point of view, I could see a determination to read as much as possible and after the prize giving, I think he will try harder. I’ve seen a difference in him. This is the first time I have attended - a great idea and one to combat T.V. computer and other electronic gadgets.

• A Great programme!! It gave our son a goal and an opportunity to participate in something that requires personal determination. This odyssey programme is great. Our son has progressed from Summer Reading programme to this. I believe these programmes keep children keen and motivated. Their reviews of the books they read help them with their confidence and gathering their thoughts into a comprehensive review.

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Parents’ comments:• Fantastic programme that the children have been

involved in every year and thoroughly enjoy. Don’t change a thing.

• An excellent programme to motivate kids to read. This should go long way to help develop reading habits to make it as old habit. And as they say `old habit dies hard’ but I hope this is good one which should never dies. Once again, keep it on & on-going.

• Excellent programme for the young teens. What a great way to encourage the children of Tokoroa to read and use their public library. Congratulations to the library staff for all their encouragement and hard work. One excellent community and schools programme.

•

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Kids comments:• Very fun, I enjoyed it very much. The point per

page system is very good. There are very good prizes and I like how you can pick a prize out of three.

• Very organised, well run programme. Very friendly report-ins. Fun programme to be part of.

• I think the Odyssey programme was a great opportunity to read more books and learn more things about different religions and beliefs. During this time of Odyssey it's helped me to get better grades in reading. I think having the Odyssey programme was a great experience and I'm absolutely sure I'll do it again, for sure

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Kids comments:• This year I extremely enjoyed participating in the

odyssey programme because I feel like I read a lot of different types of books and enjoyed reviewing what I read to the librarians. I love competing in this programme and would be extremely disappointed if the programme doesn't continue.

• I like the way that there's the opportunity to email it if you are unable to come in. I like how it counts it per page so that every point counts.

• I personally think the Odyssey was really cool and lots of fun. I am sure I am going to do it next year! I think the Odyssey was great experience to read lots more and learn also be able to go up in our literature levels.

• The staff are the best :) Loved the Odyssey, fun meet new people

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The Impact: Library issues

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2000

4000

6000

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Issues

Issues

This graph shows the number of teens who did the Odyssey Programme 2004 - 2014

This graph shows the yearly issues for the teen collection 2004 -2013

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100

10203040506070

Teens who finished the programme

Years

Tota

l

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The challenges:

• Staff.• Building relationships with the teens.

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Conclusion:• Reviewed each year. • Lessons learnt. • Enhancements made.

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2008

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2009

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2010

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2011

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2012

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ANY QUESTIONS

?

the odyssey presentation by lalita sudhakar and bettina kinchant at the lianza waikato/bay of plenty...

Documents

team leaderbettina kinchant

school libraries

odysseylalita sudhakar

manukau city libraries

programme content

selected books

school library situation

public library