1. SJCLC Programming on a shoe string budget
SJRLC
Programming on a shoestring budget
Carol Nersinger
East Brunswick Public Library
SJCLC Programming on a shoe string budget

2. Background on EBPL Suburban, professional Population 47,000
Excellent school district
Increased community diversity
Town is built out
No Main St. or center

3. Background on EBPL Well supported and funded
Well used & good reputation
Building 30 years old & run down
Considered community center
Didn’t start adult programming until January 2006!!

4. Why did we decide to go gangbusters with adult programming?

5. Library Director’s Reasons
It’s about the experience
It’s about the emotional memories
People do not remember actual facts
They remember emotionally and they connect that emotion to organization/event

6. What most people say to me when they find out I’m a librarian:
I swear I returned my book!
I still owe money to the library from 1969!
I got yelled at by the librarian when I was a kid.
Heidi’s story

7. What emotions/experiences I want patrons to connect with the library
Fun
Exciting
I feel like I belong here
Changed my life
I met my wife/husband at the library
Celebration (escape bad times)

8. Your local public library: it’s a happening place

9. Questions to ask:
Does your Mayor (or other funding officials) come to your events?
When your Mayor has to choice which event to attend, is the choice obviously the library?
Why or what is the purpose of your programming
Crisis
New building
Declining traffic

10. People love it!

11. You need to be passionate about programming:
Otherwise, there are so many excuses:
It might snow
It’s the holiday season
People will be on vacation
Our customers are “different”
Our customers go to NYC or Philly for programs
It’s the Rec departments job
We tried it and it doesn’t work

12. How to get started or improve your lineup
Start with the easy stuff
Events vs. programs
How tough is your crowd?
Have a built in audience
Develop a reputation
Have staff do programming – meditation
Copy, copy, copy

13. Details Timing – you need to experiment
Content/subject – may be tied into timing
Involve other groups/associations
Involve all staff
To register or not to register, that is the question
Chairs

14. Full disclosure You can do it little money & staff
Start slow Or
Big impact events
EBPL does not do it on a shoe string
Big impact events & many programs at the same time
We have sponsors, staff & Friends
I don’t actually do the work

15. What has worked for us Music – but not as successful for children
Outdoor summer concerts
Comedian
How to do it
Programs with partners
Films – foreign & fine (Middlesex & Union)
12 foreign films per year
Events

16. Events First event was Friday night from 5 to 7 pm during February
Wasn’t in newsletter
Sponsor
Sort of “grand re-opening”
Food
Multiple activities/entertainment
1000 people attended

17. Other events Harry Potter night Library birthday party week
Healthy Halloween
India Week
Israeli month
Spring Health Fair
Ice cream Social

18. Specialized events
Storytelling festival
Puppetry festival

40. Details Keep it short Get sponsors and/or discounts
Volunteers – use teens!
Go with the flow
Plan B if it’s outside
Lot of work but cheaper per person than paid programs

41. More details Try to plan ahead Sell tickets for food
Repeat successful programs, but be careful you don’t do the same thing for 20 years
Use holidays/school closings to your advantage
Consider doing events outside library hours

42. Building a reputation Repeat events - predictability
Calendar for the year
If you do a good job, it will happen faster than you think
People will look for things to attend
You need to become a machine if you want to do a lot of programs

43. Promotions Newsletter – mailed to every household Cable TV
Library program
PSAs
Bulletin board
This Week in East Brunswick

44. More promotions Website Emails Facebook Press releases
Handouts/posters
Paid ads
Word of mouth

45. Questions?
Have fun!