Children’s Programming

1. Children’s Programming Sarah Matusz ND State Library NDLA 2014

2. Topics • Advertising and Marketing • Partnerships • Self-Directed Programming • Volunteers • Snacks

3. Advertising and Marketing Tried and true methods: • Newspapers • Calendar of events • Websites • Social media • Flyers • Word of mouth • Partnering with other organizations • Cable access channel • Radio • In-house advertising • Local businesses • Direct mail • Community bulletin boards • Email newsletters • Vocal announcements before programs

4. Assess the Ps • Product • Price • Placement • Promotion • Participants • Process • Physical Evidence Potter, Ned. (2012). The Library Marketing Toolkit.

5. Marketing Cycle Set goals Market research Modify Segment your market Evaluate Set objectives Measure Promotional activities Potter, Ned. (2012). The Library Marketing Toolkit.

6. Getting Results • Think like a patron • Tailor your message to target specific groups • Focus on your goals • Don’t market what you can’t deliver • Assess the needs of the community

7. Case Study: Renaming Story Time The Griggs County Public Library in Cooperstown is now advertising “story time” as a “school readiness class” Establishing a Distinctive Sense of Purpose

8. Resources The library marketing toolkit / Ned Potter Bite-sized marketing : realistic solutions for the overworked librarian / Nancy Dowd, et al. The visible librarian : asserting your value with marketing and advocacy / Judith A. Siess Marketing your library : tips and tools that work / edited by Carol Smallwood, et al. Establishing a Distinctive Sense of Purpose Assessing Community Needs Toolkit Marketing Plan Workbook Strategic Planning

9. Partnerships Friend raise before you fund raise. Dowd, Susan (Ed.). (2014). Beyond Book Sales.

10. Building Relationships • Build relationships one at a time • Be friendly • Ask people questions • Go places and do things • Assume others want to form relationships too • Get over your fear of rejection • Be persistent • Invite people to get involved Community Tool Box

11. Building Your Base Reach out to your community: http://midhudson.org/byb/ • Choose • Explore • Connect • Partner

12. Preparing to Ask for Funding • Understand the community needs • How does the library address those needs? • How can the library address those needs? • Gather statistics that demonstrate positive outcomes • Collect stories with emotional impact • Make it personal • Make it easy Dowd, Susan (Ed.). (2014). Beyond Book Sales.

13. Resources Building Your Base Community Tool Box Creating and Maintaining Partnerships Building and Sustaining Relationships Getting Grants and Financial Resources Writing a Grant Application Beyond Book Sales: the Complete Guide to Raising Real Money for Your Library / edited by Susan Dowd

14. Self-Directed Programming Activities that patrons can engage in without having to show up at a specific time

15. Centers Rotating themed activities set up in a permanent location

16. Scavenger Hunts Using clues to help patrons learn about library resources

17. Resources DIY programming and book displays: how to stretch your programming without stretching your budget and staff / Amanda Moss Struckmeyer and Svetha Hetzler Quick and Easy Programming Ideas Activity Centers for Toddlers and Preschoolers Art Centers in the Library Children’s Art Centers

18. Resources Self Directed Programming posts and Teen Programs in a Box from Teen Librarian Toolbox Reaching Teens with Passive Programming Passive Programming for Tweens Read, Think, Do activities Six Months of Themed Stations Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest…

19. Volunteers Want Good Volunteers? Part 1 and Part 2

20. Recruiting Volunteers • Be specific • Describe the anticipated results • Target your efforts • Make it appealing • Have an application process • Have information available online Time Tested Volunteer Recruitment Tips

21. Developing Committed Volunteers • Define why you need volunteers • Design valuable experiences • Recruit carefully • Place cautiously • Train • Recognize • Follow up Effective Volunteer Support

22. Addressing Volunteer Commitment • Focus on requirements • Consider the volunteer • Be specific • Give feedback • Confirm understanding Volunteer Strategies

23. Retaining Volunteers • Understand motivation • Provide orientation and training • Communicate • Stay organized • Offer flexibility • Express appreciation Volunteers - part 1 and part 2, Keeping Volunteers Engaged, Nonprofit Volunteers

24. Teen Volunteers • Teen Advisory Groups • Story time/Summer reading assistance • Technology trainers • Special projects

25. Resources Managing Library Volunteers / Preston Driggers and Eileen Dumas Recruit, Train, Retain! Workbook Recruiting Volunteers Shifting Volunteer Paradigms The Volunteer Journey The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us Teen Advisory Groups

26. Resources http://www.volunteerhub.com/blog/ http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/ http://www.serve.gov/ http://energizeinc.com/

27. Food Allergies • milk • eggs • peanuts • tree nuts • soy • wheat • fish • shellfish 1 out of every 13 kids has a food allergy. Ninety percent of all reactions are caused by the following 8 foods: Food Allergy Research and Education

28. Recommendations from a gluten-free librarian: • Snacks for kids under 5 should be gluten-free for everyone since they like to share • Substitutions can be made for kids over 5 who can understand why they shouldn’t eat gluten • Serve fruit and vegetables • Popcorn or potato chips instead of crackers or cookies • Candy apples or fudge • M&Ms, Skittles, or Starburst instead of licorice, gum drops, or gummy candies

29. Gluten-Free Banana Cupcake Recipe • 3 smashed up bananas • 1 GF cake mix, any flavor • ¼ lb almond bark, any flavor • Jelly Belly Beans or chocolate chips Prepare cake mix accordingly to package directions, but reduce the liquid (water or milk) in half and mix the bananas in well. Pour into cupcake cups and bake 19-22 minutes.  Cool completely. Melt the almond bark. Take a cupcake in hand upside-down, and swirl the top of the cupcake in the melted almond bark and twist as you remove the cupcake. It will be nicely covered with almond bark. Pop into a cupcake holder and quickly add the Jelly Bellies to decorate.  Almond bark sets up within minutes. Decorate as you go. Repeat with all the cupcakes and pop the whole batch in the freezer. These are handy to have on hand for quick treats, birthday parties, and box lunches. Keeps very well; the bananas and almond bark prevent the cupcake from drying out in the freezer.  The cupcakes defrost in about 25-30 minutes at room temperature. • Pam Carswell, Minot Public Library Teen Librarian

30. Store-Bought Snack Ideas • Hummus • Yogurt • Trail mix • Cheese & nuts • Chips & salsa • Fruit & vegetables • Popcorn • Raisins • Fruit snacks • Jell-o or pudding 10 Allergy Free Store Bought Snacks 10 More Allergy Free Store Bought Snacks The Grocery Store Snack Aisle

31. Snack Resources Allergy Friendly School Snack Ideas Allergy Friendly Road Trip Snacks Allergy Safe Snacks at School Healthy Snacks for Kids with Food Allergies Safe Snack Guide Gluten Free Snacks in the Classroom Gluten Free School Snacks Gluten Free Snacks for Kids

32. Where to Buy Online Amazon Vitacost Gluten Free Mall Kids with Food Allergies Marketplace Gluten Free/Allergy Friendly Product Vendors

33. Gluten-Free Craft Supplies Gluten Free Craft Supplies Allergens in School Activities Allergy Free Art Supplies Gluten Free School Supplies

34. Questions? Discussion? smatusz@nd.gov