Beyond the BookshelfTeen Programming

Instructor:

Kelley Wormankelley.worman@fresnolibrary.org

An Infopeople Workshop

Fall 2006

This Workshop Is Brought to You by the Infopeople Project

Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported by the California State Library. It provides a wide variety of training to California libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered around the state and are open registration on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a complete list of workshops, and for other information about the project, go to the Infopeople website at infopeople.org.

Introductions

Name

Library

Position Thinking back to your teen years,

name any program you attended (library or other) and tell what you remember liking about it.

Workshop Overview

Foundations of programming

Program and outreach ideas for teens

Partnering

Funding

Marketing and evaluation

Why Program for Teens?

Increase library use

Inform, entertain and enrich kids

Supports healthy development of youth

Promotes the library in the community

Questions for the Group

What has been your best and worst experience with teen programming?

What makes a good program?

Teens will find ways to… Meet their basic needs Build skills and values Use skills, talents, energy, and time in

ways that make them feel good

Whether adults approve or not!Abrams, Stephen. The Kids are Alright: Millenials and Their Information Behavior.

ALA Annual Conference 2006.

Benefits of YA Programming Offers teens a chance to participate

actively, not react passively Channels energy Fosters positive relationships with peers

and caring adults Provides opportunities to develop life skills

and to contribute to the community

Barriers to Good Programming Poor planning Lack of support Takes a lot of time and effort Not understanding teens (no teen

input) Programs are too academic Too focused on library goals

Jones, Patrick. What’s the Frequency: a how-to-do-it workshop. Young Adult Services Institute. San Joaquin Valley Library System.

Keys to Success

Teen involvement

Popular topic

Good planning

Appropriate

marketing

Teen Involvement

Getting input

and ideas

Positives

Negatives

Program Policies

Identifies purpose and need of young

adult programming

Articulates scope of library

programming

Defense for programming

What elements are essential for a young adult program policy?

Questions for Group

Building Arguments for Programs

Brainstorm possible objections by administration and form intelligent debate.

Use program policy Use Search Institute 40 Developmental

Assets www.searchinstitute.org Query list servs

Getting Ideas

Teens

List servs

TV

Magazines

Websites

Types of Programs

Informational

Recreational

Literature-related

Curriculum-related

Single Event Programs Samples

Open Mic Gaming tournament Origami College Knowledge Mystery night Movie program Skool of Rock

Self Defense Workshop

for Teensby D.A.R.E. Instructor ,

Dave JohnsonThursday, February 126:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Special and Themed Programs

Banned Books Week Teen Read Week Teen Tech Week Holidays

Heritage monthsYoung People’s Poetry Week

Ongoing and Series Programs

Social issues Career search Book clubs Animé clubs Teen Council

Steps to Planning

Approval needed? Necessary resources Time, date, and location

Checklist

Why a Checklist?

Focuses your planning Helps to make sure you think of everything Leaves a pathway for others to replicate the program

Outreach(Taking It on the Road)

Reaches teens that aren’t regular library users

May involve partnering with community groups

Time and financial commitment

Opportunities for Outreach

Schools Teen shelters Hospitals Detention facilities Home school groups Homeless Teen parents LGTB youth

Community Partnerships

Flow out of the library’s mission and

goals

Library-wide strategy

Centrally coordinated

Formal process

Why Partner? Reach new users Reach current users in a new way Tap into community assets and resources Gain support for the library Create new library resources Shares costs and increases resources

Types of Partnerships

Communicative

Cooperative

Collaborative

Steps to Choosing a Partner

Know what you want to achieve

Make a list of potential partners in the

community

Research a potential partner

From “Developing Community Partnerships” by Barry Trott,

ALA Annual Meeting 2006

Funding Sources

Friends groups Philanthropic

organizations Cultural groups Grants Partnerships

Question for Group

What are three key elements that must be present in any letter requesting a funding/goods donation?

Key Elements

1. Clear statement of what you are asking for

2. How it benefits the community and library

3. What’s in it for the company

Cutting Costs

Partnerships Sharing program supplies Using free community groups and County

offices as presenters Local business donations for refreshments,

supplies, prizes, etc.

Smart Marketing

Who is the audience for this program? How can I best reach this group?

Media Displays Technology

Schools Community partners Teen hangouts

Flyers: Tips for Getting Noticed

Eye-catching Not too cluttered Font type Graphics Smart placement

Reasons for Conducting Evaluations

Helps you know if you met your goals Administrative support Accountability For suggestions to make the program

better To assess why a program didn’t work

Types of Evaluation

Outputs- numerically measured

- statisticsOutcomes

- the “so what” of programming

- anecdotes to demonstrate impact

So Remember,

Teen input and good planning+

Well-thought-out promotion+

Relevant evaluation

= A GREAT PROGRAM

And Finally…

HAVE FUN!!