dead presidents and jewish poets …or, how to disrupt your library and liven things up

Dead presidents and Jewish Poets

…or, how to disrupt your library and liven things up.

Where do you find the Exhibits?

• The Programming Librarian @ http://www.programminglibrarian.org/home.html

• ALA Apply Now! @• http://www.ala.org/programming/apply• ALA Public Programming Electronic Discussion

List : Sign Up @ http://www.ala.org/offices/ppo/about/ppolist

Why?

• Student engagement• Community engagement• Value added• For Emma Lazarus, an opportunity for a

“diversity moment”

Grant application• Online application short answer & essay• How will you reach the desired audience?• What organizations will join you? • What events will you host? • Basic housekeeping questions:

– Physical space– Cost of programming– Complete reports

What?

• John Adams Unbound– Based on his personal library– Put together by BPL– Sponsored through NEA & ALA– 20 libraries; only two in New

York State

And another one?

• Emma Lazarus: Voice of Liberty, Voice of Conscience

Based on Jewish American historyPut together by Ester SchorSponsored by ALA & Nextbook, Inc18 libraries selected

Timing of John Adams

• Nearly 2 years from announcement of grant to it arriving at Brockport

• On-site October 17 – November 30, 2011• Could not plan some programs until the Spring

and Summer before it arrived, because people couldn’t commit that far in advance

• On the plus side, could get information to schools and faculty well in advance.

Timing of Emma Lazarus

• Emma Lazarus exhibit was 1st announced 11/9/2010

• Grant application due 1/24/11• Positive response 3/11/2011• Itinerary posted & arrival of promotional

material 3/24/2011• Exhibit arrival 12/21/2011• Exhibit packed for shipping 2/27/2012

Money

• Some include money for programming, but still expect your institution to kick in something

• Others expect you to cover the whole shot of programming

Accompanying Events

• Where to find ideas – ALA

– Other Libraries

– Local community

– Examine your own library

Our Event Highlights

• John Adams re-enactor

• Local Professors

• Love Letters Reading

• Poetry Contest

Supporting Displays

• John Adams Unbound– John & Abigail A Power Couple– Abigail Adams Financial Advisor

Emma Lazarus: Voice of Liberty, Voice of Conscience- Statue of Liberty- One Family’s Immigration Story

Marketing and publicity

1st Sponsor Guidelines

Flyers, Bookmarks & Posters On Campus –dorms, dining halls and student unionOff Campus-community centers, grocery stores, Main St. shops

Marketing and Publicity

• Stylus, campus newspaper

• Arrows

• Offer refreshments

• Word of Mouth

Student Support

• History grad student hosted the showing of HBO John Adams series

• A second history grad student created a display supporting the Emma exhibit

• Promotion of poetry contest

Reports

• 1st report a simply check in on the arrival and condition of exhibit.

• Final report may be just a form you have to fill out, or could be a narrative, nothing too big usually.

Learning Experiences

• 7 pm not the best time for a movie showing

• Parking

• No date selection can be difficult

Is It REALLY Worth It?

• Student Engagement

• Community Engagement

• Value Added– Learning experiences– Opportunity to offer diversity

Advice…from us to you

Comments or questions?

Pam O’Sullivanposulliv@brockport.edu585-395-5688

Wendy Princewprince@brockport.edu585-395-2145