2016 Adult Summer Reading Challenge: Exercise Your Mind – Read!

Programs vs. Programming You can have a “program” without “programming” Programming does not have to fit the theme of the program – the goal is to get more and new people in the library and get them reading

Adult Reading Challenges Who? Your regular patrons Parents who are “reading role models” How? Set a goal Offer a prize Regular patrons – They are already reading. Why not enter for a chance to win? Parents – Guilt them into it at registration by asking them to be a “reading role model.” Offer family literacy options. Goals – Measurement may be different for adults, such as one entry per book, or Bingo cards/challenges. Prizes – You are already soliciting anyway, and it does not have to be an expensive prize. Are you going to have record breaking participation your first year? Only if you are comparing to zero last year! It takes time to build programs.

Adult Reading Challenges Battle of the Books: Beat the Librarian Edition Who can read more pages than the librarian? Post your reading totals for patrons to see and compete against. Bingo – combine reading and non-reading activities Blind Date with a Book – wrap up books to get people to try new genres

Programming Preparation R&D – Rip off & Duplicate What are the popular topics in your community? What are people checking out? What are people asking about? What life stages do you have in mind? Parents with young children, empty nesters, retirees, etc.

Community Resources Don’t go it alone – partner with another community organization to share the work and publicity Look for organizations with outreach services – they want to come talk to your patrons!

Family Transitions Target parents who are already coming to the library with their kids Plan adult programming in conjunction with children’s programming Work with the school schedule and the school librarian Plan programs that involve the whole family

Try Something New Try something new… A new library service? Capitalize on current offerings What partnerships could you pursue? In person programming: Reach out to new patrons by hosting a “what’s new at the library” open house. Develop a program with a non-library partner. Passive programming: Have a display of books about unique hobbies. Host a “blind date” program. Promote the library in a location around town you haven’t tried before. Social media: Highlight library services online in a series of “Did you know…?” posts featuring interesting library services and resources.

Exercise Promote the State Park Passes! Fitness classes in the library Roaming Readers Walking Club Run with It In person: Host a fitness class, walking club, or a fun run fundraiser. Passive: Set up a display of exercise resources. Social media: Highlight the library’s exercise resources. Share exercise tips. State Park Passes: http://library.nd.gov/marketing.html Fitness classes: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/01/opinion/programs-that-pop/ive-never-been-so-sweaty-in-a-library-programs-that-pop/ Walking Club: http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs/roaming-readers-walking-club Run with It: http://www.programminglibrarian.org/blog/run-it-taking-your-programs-streets-or-trails

Relax Your Mind Stress management Mindfulness/Meditation Do Yoga with Me Yoga in the Library Coloring Clubs In person programming: Invite someone, perhaps a local health professional, to teach a class on stress relief or stress management techniques. Passive programming: Display resources on stress relief/management. Post wellness tips. Ask people to post their own tips to a bulletin board. Social media: Post information about how the library can be a relaxing escape. Share information on the health benefits of reading. Google “health benefits of reading.” Stress management: http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/ Mindfulness: http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/mindfulness http://www.energize.com/how-to-perform-mindfulness-meditation/ Do Yoga with Me: https://www.doyogawithme.com/ Yoga in the Library: http://www.yogainthelibrary.com/ Coloring Clubs: https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/adult-coloring-explosion.html

Healthy Eating Resources from NDSU Extension Ideas for health and nutrition programming from WebJunction In person programming: Get together in person to share recipes and/or healthy treats or snacks. Invite a County Extension Nutrition Education Agent if you have one. Passive programming: Have a bulletin board for sharing recipe ideas. Perhaps partner with the grocery store to offer discounts on key ingredients to those who show their library cards. Social media: Encourage use of social media for sharing for sharing recipes and photos of finished products. NDSU Extension: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/food WebJunction: http://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/november-poll-results-health-and-nutrition-programs-and-resources.html

Healthy Aging NIH Senior Health National Council on Aging CDC Health Information Johns Hopkins Healthy Aging In person: Host a program for people acting as caregivers for elderly parents. Passive: Set up a table distributing handouts from these resources, and highlighting materials on caregiver support. Social media: Post tips and highlight resources on Facebook. NIH Senior Health: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/category/healthyaging.html National Council on Aging: https://www.ncoa.org/audience/older-adults-caregivers-resources/?post_type=ncoaresource CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/index.htm Johns Hopkins: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/

Technology Technology Toolkits How To classes on: Facebook Pinterest Twitter Library resources: Zinio Freading Freegal OverDrive (where applicable) Health resources: AltHealth Watch Consumer Health Complete In person: Host a How-To class. Passive: Set up a “Tech Table” for people to try Toolkit devices. Social media: Post tech tips on Facebook. Ask others to share. Library Resources: http://www.library.nd.gov/onlineresources.html Tech Toolkits: http://www.eventkeeper.com/kitkeeper/index.cfm?curOrg=nodak

Prepare for a New Career Learning Express Library Job and Career Accelerator Adult Learning Center Computer Skills Career Center TutorND Resumes & Cover letters Job Resources Interviewing Universal Class Office Skills Computer Training Career Training In person programming: Host a session to demonstrate these resources. Steve or your LD rep may also be able to present. Passive programming: Have a display of career resources. Social media: Post job skills information on your website or Facebook page. TutorND: http://www.tutornd.com/ LearningExpress: http://www.learningexpresshub.com/learningexpresslibrary?AuthToken=1D25E37B-F48A-4C64-93BD-6270959DEB11 All online library resources: http://library.nd.gov/onlineresources.html Sign up for a webinar to learn more: http://www.library.nd.gov/traininglibraries.html

Questions? Sarah Matusz smatusz@nd.gov 701-328-4663 1-800-472-2104