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SJCLC Programming on a shoe string budget

SJCLC Programming on a shoe string budget. SJRLC Programming on a shoestring budget Carol Nersinger East Brunswick Public Library. Background on EBPL. Suburban, professional Population 47,000 Excellent school district Increased community diversity Town is built out No Main St. or center.

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SJCLC Programming on a shoe string budget

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

  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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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

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

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

  24. Questions? Have fun!

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