1. 2016 Adult Summer Reading Challenge: Exercise Your Mind – Read!

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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!

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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:
Fitness classes:
Walking Club:
Run with It:

10. 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:
Mindfulness:
Do Yoga with Me:
Yoga in the Library:
Coloring Clubs:

11. 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:
WebJunction:

12. 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:
National Council on Aging:
CDC:
Johns Hopkins:

13. 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:
Tech Toolkits:

14. 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:
LearningExpress:
All online library resources:
Sign up for a webinar to learn more:

15. Questions?
Sarah Matusz