February, 2004 Presenter: Katie O’Dell Hook Them for Life! Promoting Reading to Youth

Today’s Agenda What is Reading Promotion? Reader’s Advsiory and Outreach Programs Summer Reading and Programming How to Make Your Case

Expectations Listen openly Asses critically Implement thoughtfully

Goals  Get familiar with the idea of reading promotion  Feel energized to look at your current library services with a fresh eye  Learn new ways to approach outreach service to promote reading  Recognize the importance of summer reading and/or year-round reading programs and be able to articulate to administers what should be improved in your program  Leave with at least five new ideas for programming that promotes reading

Who Am I? Reading Promotions Coordinator for Multnomah County Library Active in ALA and ALSC Author of two books (listed in biblio) Mama of a gorgeous little boy Love to read, knit, walk and get pedicures

Introductions Name Where you work and your position What you hope to leave here with What you enjoy most about your job

Section One What is Reading Promotion? Encouragement and support of active reading for pleasure and information Making resources available to youth in our communities and promoting those services to increase the popularity of reading

Why It Matters for Your Library? Creates life long readers and library users  Increases circulation Supports work of schools and families  Builds intergenerational bonds in the community Creates new relationships with parents Advertises readers’ advisory services Attracts funding through grants and sponsors

Small Group Breakout Exercise One Share five things your library currently does to promote reading to youth Select two services to share with the large group

Section Two Reader’s Advisory & Outreach Reader’s Advisory  Best Practices  Booklists  Web Site Resources Outreach  Early Childhood  School Age  Young Adults

Readers’ Advisory Best Practices  Identify strengths in reading knowledge of each staff member and post to your intranet  Use a small portion of each staff meeting to rotate booktalks to increase readers’ advisory knowledge  Promote staff reading knowledge through “staff picks” display, promotional stickers or buttons  Submissions to library newsletters and community newspapers

Booklists Annotate!!! Multiple audiences: youth, parents, and educators Available at multiple outlets

Web Site Resources Reading promotion main feature of site  Form for young patrons to submit their own reviews  Contests and opinion polls  Online reading programs and reading logs Links to authors, illustrators, and book sites  Online current booklists  Book discussion information, virtual book group Create lists for youth and parents

Sample Sites to Check Out Multnomah County Library  San Francisco Public Library  The Internet Public Library  Calgary Public Library  School Library Journal Site of the Month 

Outreach Connections Early Childhood School Age Young Adults

Early Childhood: Making the Connection Connecting with Parents Childcares Preschools Social Service agencies

Connecting with Parents and Caregivers New library card pack to hospitals and birth centers Stock booklists at pediatrician’s offices Consider age specific storytimes for babies, wobblers, and preschoool Advertise your services to play groups, indoor gyms, park and recreation programs Connect caregivers to library services through visits, , mentoring, book packs, storytime training Offer licensed child care providers the same considerations you offer teachers: longer checkout times, higher hold limit, reduced fines, etc.

Connecting with Preschools and Social Service Agencies Build relationships with preschools and social service agencies through visits, , and mailings Extend invitations to appropriate staff trainings to staff Rotating collection of book sets Trade promotional space with social service agencies to expand potential audience

School Age: Building the Relationship New opportunity to build a relationship between burgeoning independent child and library  Library card campaigns  Book groups  Direct sign-up for reading programs

Library Card Campaigns Getting the cards to the kids Working with schools Annual event Allowing youth and teens to work off fines or offer restitution days Bookmark with tips on managing library card

Book Discussion Groups School age is prime time for book discussion groups Bring the group to the school, then link back to the library Encourage student ownership of the group Plan special events to build buy-in Talk It Up! Web site:

Direct Sign-ups Don’t wait for school age kids to come to you Partner with local schools to reach entire population Sign-up students for summer reading while they are still in school Award certificate/prize to school with greatest percentage or greatest increase in sign-ups, send out media alert

Outreach for Young Adults It is all about service and collections Offer opportunities to reduce fines Consult with teens on library policies and services Promote like crazy!  Advertise in high school newspapers  Collect addresses  Send monthly flyers/ s to media specialists

Small Group Breakout Exercise Two Brainstorm what additional reader’s advisory and outreach services your library could do to promote reading Each person selects three ideas to share in “power” circle

Lunch Time! See you back at 1 p.m.

Section Three Summer Reading & Programming Summer Reading  What you give  What you get  Year Round Reading programs Programming  Current programs  New Ideas

Summer Reading What you give.... Make the most of this recognizable library service for youth  Offer summer reading to all ages  Keep them reading all summer  Offer incentives and philanthropic opportunities  Online registration option  Partner with schools  Keep your statistics! It is worth it!

Summer Reading What you get... Generate amazing sponsorship opportunities Form close bond with schools Build stronger community partnerships Create life long library users and fans Energize the volunteer program Craft library’s role as THE place for reading

Year Round Reading Programs Are you crazy? Research supports daily reading More low key than summer hoopla Family centered with library link Great vehicle to promote school year services and programs

Programming to Promote Reading Relate all programming back to library collection and reading interests Book Discussion Groups Library sleepovers Program series that explores popular topics like science, history, animals After-school reading club or program time

Author and Illustrator Visits Can work for all ages Spend as much or as little as you want Low cost - local or new authors and illustrators, out on book tours, appearing at conferences More investment - bringing in nationally known talents, share with local libraries or schools, involve youth in planning and preparation

Breakout Session Exercise Three Complete Exercise #3 Share your response with your partner

Resources for Making Your Case How to Make Your Case to Administrators How to Make Your Case to Staff How to Make Your Case to Funders

Small Group Breakout Exercise Four Choose one small group member’s idea for a program or service and create a pitch on the improvements you would like to make. Your pitch could be to fellow staff, administrators, or outside funders.

Questions and Answers

How to Contact Katie O’Dell Please fill out your evaluations. Thank you!