Programming for Pennies Millie Sparks Collection Development and Outreach Librarian Pitt Community College Library Community and Junior College Library Section/NCLA

How do we fund events? Fines and fees (NOT LOST BOOKS) Pharos print system (when people add money to their accounts) Monies to be used for student-centered activities

Types of Events: Meet the Author Game Nights Pet Therapy Book Clubs Library Lawn Party

If you feed them… they will come.

Meet the Author

Methods of Advertising Listed as event in newspaper Bulletin board flyers Posted event page on Library’s Facebook Write-up in newspaper Posted flyer on Facebook

Cost of Program: Total: $ 51.00 2 Dunkin’ Donuts coffee boxes $ 32.00 Slices of cake $ 14.00 24 bottles of water $ 5.00 Styrofoam cups Free Napkins Free Artificial sweetener Free Stirrers Free Total: $ 51.00

Potential Cost of Program: Bottled Water $5.00

Were the events successful? 1st event successful due to speaker being the wife of a faculty member who encouraged participation 2nd event successful due to email being sent out to faculty and staff a few days before event Both events successful but only one student participated in 2nd event (attendees were mostly faculty, staff, and community members)

Meet the Author Benefits: Drawbacks: Connect with and introduce local authors to campus community Provide authors with venue to sell works (if permitted) Attract crowd who might not otherwise visit library Drawbacks: May have to turn down some authors seeking to promote their work if not well-suited to community interest/standards May be difficult to attract students to “literary” event

Game Nights

Methods of Advertising Bulletin board flyer Event page on FB Flyer posted on FB

Cost of Program: Total: $ 196.00 Games $ 121.00 Subway cookies $ 40.00 Soda $ 25.00 Water $ 10.00 Total: $ 196.00

Potential Cost of Program: $0.00

Was the event successful? Attended by about 20 people, mostly staff plus a few faculty members Only about 5 or 6 students came and, of those who came, all but 2 were already in the Library for other reasons Those who attended enjoyed the event, but more success might have been achieved with adjustments to timing

Game Day Benefits: Drawbacks: Bring people into library to have fun Can be accomplished at very low cost Drawbacks: May end up feeding people not interested in event May not have appropriate space to host noisy event May be difficult to gauge which games will have greatest appeal

Pet Therapy

Methods of Advertising Bulletin board flyer Facebook event(s) page Flyer posted on FB Post on PCC Facebook each day, advertising for following day Picture in newspaper provided good press for next pet therapy event

Cost of Program: Total: $ 65.00 Chocolate chip cookies $ 60.00 (three large trays from Sam’s Club) Bottled water $ 5.00 Total: $ 65.00

Potential Cost of Program: $0.00

Was the event successful? Brought in faculty, staff, and many students Attended by about 60 people total Advertising campaign worked well Event was very successful overall; hoping to repeat in the future

Pet Therapy Benefits: Drawbacks: Can be strong draw for animal lovers who normally don’t visit the library Provide much-needed stress relief, especially during exam time Allow opportunity for safe interaction for those uncomfortable around dogs Drawbacks: May not have appropriate space for this type of event May put off those seeking quieter library environment or who have allergies or fear of dogs

Book Clubs

Methods of Advertising Advertised internally during morning announcements Advertised during freshmen orientation tour at the Library

Cost of Program: Jeopardy game and Dollar Store prizes (for two games) Total: $30.00

Potential Cost of Program: $0.00 (plus free books for everyone due to Walmart grant)

Was the event successful? Successful for first three meetings during first semester; interest waned second semester Final meeting had only half the crowd we had at the start Greater potential for success at future meetings if more activity and team oriented, possibly including Jeopardy and other trivia games

Book Clubs Benefits: Drawbacks: Provides an opportunity to engage adolescents in the process of reading. Creates opportunities for thoughtful discussion and emergence of critical thinking skills. Drawbacks: Planning time for a Book Club with an Early College High School may be difficult due to scheduling conflicts. May need to come in early or stay late.

Library Lawn Party

Methods of Advertising Facebook marketing with sponsored ad; $10.00 to run one day Created Facebook event page

Cost of Program: Total: $215.50 Giant chess mat $ 65.00 Giant Jenga $ 45.00 Washers $ 21.00 Plinko $ 20.00 Ring toss $ 20.00 Bags of ice $ 17.50 Bottled water $ 10.00 Popsicles $ 10.00 Plastic black and red plates $ 7.00 Toss the ball (donated) Free Corn hole (borrowed) Free Total: $215.50

Was the event successful? 75 attendees due to marketing Not enough activities to keep everyone busy Successful based on number of participants, but many lessons learned on how to avoid mistakes and ensure greater success in the future

Things to Do for Next Year’s Lawn Party Pool Noodle Javelin Cost: 15 Pool Noodles $ 15.00 PVC Pipe $ 12.00 Duct Tape (2 rolls) $ 7.00 Total: $ 34.00

Things to Do for Next Year’s Lawn Party Balloon Ping Pong Cost: Balloons $ 12.99 Popsicle sticks $ 6.00 Paper plates $ 4.00 Packing tape Free (if already have on hand) Total: $ 22.99

Lesson Learned: Food vs. Event Food? There’s food!! Where?

PSA: No one’s reading your bulletin board flyer! Save the trees and the colored ink.

What to do instead…

How do I target posts?

RIGHT ON TARGET!

QUESTIONS. Millie Sparks msparks@email. pittcc QUESTIONS? Millie Sparks msparks@email.pittcc.edu Office #: 252-493-7362