Children’s Programming

Sarah MatuszND State Library

NDLA 2014

Topics

• Advertising and Marketing• Partnerships• Self-Directed Programming• Volunteers • Snacks

Advertising and Marketing

• Newspapers• Calendar of events• Websites • Social media• Flyers• Word of mouth• Partnering with other

organizations• Cable access channel

• Radio• In-house advertising• Local businesses• Direct mail• Community bulletin

boards• Email newsletters• Vocal announcements

before programs

Tried and true methods:

Assess the Ps

• Product• Price• Placement• Promotion• Participants• Process• Physical Evidence

Potter, Ned. (2012). The Library Marketing Toolkit.

Marketing Cycle

Modify

Evaluate

MeasureSet

objectives

Segment your market

Market research

Promotional activities

Set goals

Potter, Ned. (2012). The Library Marketing Toolkit.

Getting Results

• Think like a patron• Tailor your message to

target specific groups• Focus on your goals• Don’t market what you

can’t deliver• Assess the needs of the

community

Case Study: Renaming Story Time

The Griggs County Public Library in Cooperstown is now advertising “story time” as a “school readiness class”

Establishing a Distinctive Sense of Purpose

Resources

The library marketing toolkit / Ned PotterBite-sized marketing : realistic solutions for the overworked librarian

/ Nancy Dowd, et al.The visible librarian : asserting your value with marketing and advocacy

/ Judith A. SiessMarketing your library : tips and tools that work / edited by

Carol Smallwood, et al. Establishing a Distinctive Sense of PurposeAssessing Community Needs ToolkitMarketing Plan WorkbookStrategic Planning

Partnerships

Friend raise before you fund raise.

Dowd, Susan (Ed.). (2014). Beyond Book Sales.

Building Relationships

• Build relationships one at a time• Be friendly• Ask people questions• Go places and do things• Assume others want to form relationships too• Get over your fear of rejection• Be persistent• Invite people to get involved

Community Tool Box

Building Your Base

Reach out to your community:

http://midhudson.org/byb/

• Choose• Explore• Connect• Partner

Preparing to Ask for Funding

• Understand the community needs– How does the library address those needs?– How can the library address those needs?

• Gather statistics that demonstrate positive outcomes

• Collect stories with emotional impact• Make it personal• Make it easy

Dowd, Susan (Ed.). (2014). Beyond Book Sales.

Resources

Building Your BaseCommunity Tool Box

Creating and Maintaining PartnershipsBuilding and Sustaining RelationshipsGetting Grants and Financial ResourcesWriting a Grant Application

Beyond Book Sales: the Complete Guide to Raising Real Money for Your Library

/ edited by Susan Dowd

Self-Directed Programming

Activities that patrons can engage in without having to show up at a specific time

Centers

Rotating themed activities set up in a permanent location

Scavenger Hunts

Using clues to help patrons learn about library resources

Resources

DIY programming and book displays: how to stretch your programming without stretching your budget and staff

/ Amanda Moss Struckmeyer and Svetha Hetzler

Quick and Easy Programming IdeasActivity Centers for Toddlers and PreschoolersArt Centers in the Library

Children’s Art Centers

Resources

Self Directed Programming posts and Teen Programs in a Box from Teen Librarian Toolbox

Reaching Teens with Passive ProgrammingPassive Programming for TweensRead, Think, Do activitiesSix Months of Themed StationsPinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest…

Volunteers

Want Good Volunteers? Part 1 and Part 2

Recruiting Volunteers

• Be specific• Describe the anticipated results• Target your efforts• Make it appealing• Have an application process• Have information available online

Time Tested Volunteer Recruitment Tips

Developing Committed Volunteers

• Define why you need volunteers• Design valuable experiences• Recruit carefully• Place cautiously • Train• Recognize• Follow up

Effective Volunteer Support

Addressing Volunteer Commitment

• Focus on requirements• Consider the volunteer• Be specific• Give feedback• Confirm understanding

Volunteer Strategies

Retaining Volunteers

• Understand motivation• Provide orientation and training• Communicate• Stay organized• Offer flexibility • Express appreciation

Volunteers - part 1 and part 2, Keeping Volunteers Engaged, Nonprofit Volunteers

Teen Volunteers

• Teen Advisory Groups• Story time/Summer reading assistance• Technology trainers• Special projects

Resources

Managing Library Volunteers / Preston Driggers and Eileen Dumas

Recruit, Train, Retain! WorkbookRecruiting VolunteersShifting Volunteer ParadigmsThe Volunteer JourneyThe Surprising Truth About What Motivates UsTeen Advisory Groups

Resources

http://www.volunteerhub.com/blog/http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/http://www.serve.gov/http://energizeinc.com/

Food Allergies

– milk – eggs– peanuts – tree nuts

– soy– wheat – fish – shellfish

1 out of every 13 kids has a food allergy.

Ninety percent of all reactions are caused by the following 8 foods:

Food Allergy Research and Education

Recommendations from a gluten-free librarian:

• Snacks for kids under 5 should be gluten-free for everyone since they like to share

• Substitutions can be made for kids over 5 who can understand why they shouldn’t eat gluten

• Serve fruit and vegetables• Popcorn or potato chips instead of crackers or cookies• Candy apples or fudge• M&Ms, Skittles, or Starburst instead of licorice, gum

drops, or gummy candies

Gluten-Free Banana Cupcake Recipe

• 3 smashed up bananas• 1 GF cake mix, any flavor• ¼ lb almond bark, any flavor• Jelly Belly Beans or chocolate chips

Prepare cake mix accordingly to package directions, but reduce the liquid (water or milk) in half and mix the bananas in well. Pour into cupcake cups and bake 19-22 minutes. Cool completely. Melt the almond bark. Take a cupcake in hand upside-down, and swirl the top of the cupcake in the melted almond bark and twist as you remove the cupcake. It will be nicely covered with almond bark. Pop into a cupcake holder and quickly add the Jelly Bellies to decorate. Almond bark sets up within minutes. Decorate as you go. Repeat with all the cupcakes and pop the whole batch in the freezer. These are handy to have on hand for quick treats, birthday parties, and box lunches. Keeps very well; the bananas and almond bark prevent the cupcake from drying out in the freezer. The cupcakes defrost in about 25-30 minutes at room temperature.

Pam Carswell, Minot Public Library Teen Librarian

Store-Bought Snack Ideas

• Hummus• Yogurt• Trail mix• Cheese & nuts• Chips & salsa

10 Allergy Free Store Bought Snacks10 More Allergy Free Store Bought SnacksThe Grocery Store Snack Aisle

• Fruit & vegetables• Popcorn• Raisins• Fruit snacks• Jell-o or pudding

Snack Resources

Allergy Friendly School Snack IdeasAllergy Friendly Road Trip SnacksAllergy Safe Snacks at SchoolHealthy Snacks for Kids with Food AllergiesSafe Snack GuideGluten Free Snacks in the ClassroomGluten Free School SnacksGluten Free Snacks for Kids

Where to Buy Online

AmazonVitacostGluten Free MallKids with Food Allergies MarketplaceGluten Free/Allergy Friendly Product Vendors

Gluten-Free Craft Supplies

Gluten Free Craft SuppliesAllergens in School ActivitiesAllergy Free Art SuppliesGluten Free School Supplies

Questions?Discussion?

smatusz@nd.gov