Stress-Free Adult Programming Instructor: Lynn Whitehouse [email protected] An Infopeople Workshop Winter/Spring 2006 This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant.
Download ReportTranscript Stress-Free Adult Programming Instructor: Lynn Whitehouse [email protected] An Infopeople Workshop Winter/Spring 2006 This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant.
Stress-Free Adult Programming Instructor: Lynn Whitehouse [email protected] An Infopeople Workshop Winter/Spring 2006 This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state and are open registration on a first-come, firstserved basis. For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the Project, go to the Infopeople Web site at infopeople.org. Workshop Overview Overview of Adult Programming Developing and Planning the Program Publicity and Promotion Program and Evaluation Exercise #1 Introductions Who are the Stakeholders in Library Programming? Audience Collection Community?? Program Do their goals differ? What are the benefits of Adult Programming and how does Programming impact your library? Programming Benefits Library as a community resource and cultural center Opportunities to discuss important events – – historical recent Creates foundation for relationships Where Can You Get Ideas for Programming? Determining what’s “hot” Suggestions from users Other programs Sample Programs Author events Lectures/Presentations Book groups – reading and discussion Performances Films Displays and exhibits Programming Around a Current Event i.e. September 11 Tragedy Understanding Islam – lecture and panel Films on Arab Americans and East Indian communities Reading and discussion program Role of women in the various Islamic countries Remembering lessons from the past-Japanese American internment Existing Creative Programs Grapes of Wrath – – Women of Mystery – – 100 libraries all doing different things! California Council for the Humanities Web site California Center for the book Packaged program Others? Exercise #2 Brainstorm Program Ideas Programs Come in a Variety of Formats Lecture Panel Presentation Small Group Discussion Concerts Poetry Slams Program in a park Pick your space to match your program To Do a Program You’ll Need… Ideas Support – – Resources – – – – staff volunteers locations giveaways evaluation forms author books Funding Partners? Target Your Audience Target different people for different programs What special considerations might they require – – what time is best for program need wheelchair access Is there an optimum number of attendees for your program Create an Audience Profile for All Programs What places do they frequent? What social, religious , professional, civic organizations do they belong to? What publications do they read? What radio stations do they listen to? Where do they go to school? What listservs do they respond to? Exercise #3 Create a Profile For Your Audience Audience Building Have personal contact Attend meetings with community leaders Use the information for basis of publicity Where do they congregate or shop Enlist partners What are the Benefits of Partnerships? The library’s strengths The partner’s strengths If you have partnered , how did it work? Benefits That Partners Bring Resources – – financial human Experience with the target audience/program subject/format Information and Ideas Outreach Possible Partners Community Colleges and Universities CA Council for the Humanities Bookstores Community and Civic Groups and Agencies Businesses Cultural and Arts Organizations Define Roles for Partners Primary responsibilities: – – of the library? of the partner? MOU - Memorandum Of Understanding – See sample in handouts Possible Funding Sources Friends of the Library Grants Local Service Clubs Individual Donors Corporations/Businesses Library Foundations Mini-Exercise Go back to Exercise 3 (on audience profile) and add at least: – – one possible partner for your program idea one possible funding source Developing a Preliminary Budget Categories of Expenses – – – – – – Personnel Program/Speaker Expenses Promotional expenses Facilities/Equipment Collection Development Office Expenses Programming With No Money Yes it’s possible Examples – – – – Book Discussion Poetry Slams Film Programs Others? Planning Program Timeline Determine Interest Determine the Goals Target the Audience Select Day/Date/Time Prepare budget Review and finalize Do It! Evaluate the project Author Programs Choose an author – – – Work with the Author – – – finalize arrangements in writing ask for press kit find out if author has special requirements, needs or preferences Honorariums – – Who’s local Who, when and how do you ask Be flexible book tour-limited expenses be upfront on what your library can afford Signings Scholar Led Programs Choose a scholar – – – – Work with the scholar – – – contact nearby college or university academic departments professional organizations agencies ( ACLU, Urban League) Person willing to work with your clientele let them know what the honorarium will be talk about expectations agree to make copies of handouts/bibliographies Thank the Scholar Finalize Arrangements Once author has agreed confirm all arrangements/agreements with a follow up letter Put details in writing to eliminate confusion later Set up other appearances – radio programs, TV etc. How to Finalize Contracts Check with your organization on how they invoice How are receipts handled – – must an author pay and get reimbursed your organizational/auditor needs Create an invoice Let author or publicist know when they will be paid (try and have the check that day :) After the Program is Over Thank you to author/publisher Report to the publisher Exercise #4 Begin Planning a Program You’d Like to Offer Familiarize Yourself with Copyright Law Public Domain “Fair Use“ Music ITunes—personal use See Resource guide Why You Need a License DVDS and VCR tapes do not automatically come with public performance rights Rule of thumb: most educational titles from a sole source educational distributor ( PBS, films for the humanities) come with rights Most feature films and consumer market documentaries do not come with public rights Publicity Must Include Who What Where When Why How To Publicize Your Event What to Send -Press Release -PSAs Where and When and Who – – – check requirements of magazines, newspapers etc. send to news, calendar editor, reporters establish a contact file What Else – – – interview opportunities email lists, friends of library, community groups Use partners Where to Publicize Your Event The common local media Library’s web site and newsletter Free circulation shoppers and newspapers School newspapers and PTA publications Tourist bureau Foreign language community newspapers Newsletters of special interest groups Ways to Promote Your Event What Has Worked? What Hasn’t Worked? Exercise #5 Brainstorm Publicity EXERCISE #6 Write a PSA How Can Your Program Benefit From The Evaluation Determine if your program is accomplishing your objectives, for whom and how Generate information on what strategies work best, and to overcome obstacles Identify unmet needs and gaps in activities for those you are trying to reach Publicize your accomplishments Might help to raise funds Types of Evaluation Process-answers the questions – – – – – Who? How many? What? What? Why? How? Outcomes-answers questions – What changed? (Changes in knowledge, awareness, attitudes or behavior) Steps to Program Evaluation Define your program’s goals and objectives Develop an evaluation tool Implement evaluation Analyze results Implement results Exercise #7 Plan a Program Day of the Program Refreshments? Room Set-Up Directional signs Handouts Tie –in Library materials Go over your checklist Check all equipment Make sure the room is clean Acknowledge partners Remember to ask participants to fill out an evaluation Troubleshooting on Program Day What should you do if the library’s DVD player can’t play the DVD even though it worked on your home DVD player? What would you do if your author was sick and could not keep his commitment? What would you do if you booked a small meeting room ( 40) for a poetry reading and 80 people showed? Issues With the Audience Be non- judgmental – Be fair to all – acknowledge the appropriateness of people’s responses give people a limited time to express their response Do not be afraid to take charge – – If you encounter a bias statement –acknowledge the statement and move on Look at exercise #6 and each group discuss what difficult audience issues might arise and to solve them Wrap-Up Planning is a circular process – it starts with an idea, moves through implementation, and loops back, using information and learning from each step along the way. The audience, the person at the podium or on stage, the library staff, the reporter from the local newspapers are all essential The programming space – whether it’s the library or another location – is another key part of making public programs work Programs aren’t – and shouldn’t be – developed in a vacuum Partners should provide something you need and don’t have Promoting your program and its contributors and supporters is the best way to ensure its continuation. Workshop Evaluations Please fill out your workshop evaluations