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From: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians serving Young Adults and Children" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2002 11:01 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 794
PUBYAC Digest 794
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Seeking ideas/suggestions on incentives to continue Summer Reading
by "sharon cerasoli" <sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com>
2) storytime etiquette compilation
by "phyllis.danko@verizon.net"
<phyllis.danko@verizon.net>
3) ah yes, irma and jerry!
by "Suzi Wackerbarth" <saw70@stargate.pitt.edu>
4) RE: When all of your programs fill up...
by "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
5) RE: When all of your programs fill up...
by "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
6) RE: When all of your programs fill up..(long)
by "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "sharon cerasoli" <sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians servi" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Seeking ideas/suggestions on incentives to continue Summer Reading
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 12:10:44 CDT
Hi to all!
I am seeking feedback/info on what to do for those who quickly finish Summer
Reading Programs. I know that many of these children may continue reading
on their own, but some might benefit from incentives. I had thought
about having a raffle (not sure if it would be weekly, every 2 weeks etc)
to give out book certificate to the winner of the raffle.
What do other libraries do, if anything, in terms of encouraging children
to continue to read during the summer? I am very interested in any and a
ll suggestions. Please email me offlist and I will post a compilation of
suggestions.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Sharon B. Cerasoli, M.L.S.
North Haven CT
------------------------------
From: "phyllis.danko@verizon.net"
<phyllis.danko@verizon.net>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: storytime etiquette compilation
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Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 12:10:51 CDT
Dear PubYac members:
What a wonderful response. My director and I thank you all very much.
The following is my original request:
"We've been having a problem with talking parents during storytime. Our
director was wondering if any of you have experienced this and have a
'nice way' of getting the point across to be quiet. She would like to
give an introduction at the beginning of the next fall
storytime session. Also, we are considering having a brochure/policy to
be in place. Has anyone tried this? Appreciate your help and thank you!
Phyllis, Children's Librarian
Stratham, NH"
Someone else was experiencing a similar situation earlier in discussions...
Hello all!
I know this has been discussed in recent weeks, but I am having
behavior problems at my storytime that I can't seem to find a solution to
and I was hoping for help.
Here is the situation. I have a continuous drop in preschool
storytime. I am drawing an average of 40 kids plus parents (maybe 60 to 70
people on average). Storytime is held in the middle of the picture book
section. We have no community room. In a few weeks we will move outdoors
into a tent. The majority of the children are in the 3-5 age range, but
there are a signifigant portion of under-age kids. Most of the Moms are
very responsive to behavior problems and will pull out disruptive children
or come up and sit by their child if I had spoken to him/her more than once.
I have been at this library for two years now and up until now was
able to manage the crowd just fine with a few bad days here and there.
Suddenly I am having terrible problems keeping kids quiet, keeping them
seated, keeping them turned around...you name it. There is no one child who
is an instigator. It is more of a group dynamic that will begin with a
child or parent somewhere and spreads outward.
I have emphasized the need to follow the rules before each
session--please be quiet, hold your questions, stay seated, put your books
away, etc. Parents, be sure to keep the little ones under control, reduce
distractions, etc. If I know a child's name I will use it. I will stop the
story until I get compliance on many occasions. All of this works on
occasion, but not always. Since it is drop in, I do get different people
each week. Repeating the lecture each week would, I am afraid, make it
something to ignore before the real storytime begins.
I know that some of the problem comes with the continuous drop in
aspect. Many of these kids have play dates afterwards with each other so
they are psyched up for fun. I CANNOT change the format. (Believe me, it
would be easier to bring peace to the Middle East that get that changed.) I
have considered registration, but as I can't have sessions, I can only see
more hassle and problems resulting. I have considered asking parents to
leave the little ones at home, but I know, having been in this community for
two years, that the end result would be that people would then stop coming.
This is a family event here, good for all the kids in the opinion of the
parents. We don't have the staffing to offer a simultaneous toddler time
either. Besides, the little ones aren't necessarily the problem. It is as
I said, a group dynamic. There is no one thing.
I should also mention that I do a second storytime on Saturday
mornings already which is smaller (avg of 10-15 kids plus parent), but is
growing. I do an extra toddler time twice a year as well so I am pretty
much storytimed out.
I am getting more and more frustrated each week and I am desperate for
ideas before I run screaming from library. Does anyone have any thoughts or
tips for me? Maybe a discipline trick that works great for you. A speech
you have given with great success in the past? I need to make the best of a
bad situation here. I am sure you guys will have ideas!
Thanks in advance!
Brendle Wells
Youth Services Librarian
Carmichael Regional Library
Sacramento Public Library
And now, your responses.....
This is a common problem, unfortunately! Before each storytime session,
I come
into every storytime that has parents, introduce myself and briefly
thank the
parents for getting their children off to a great start on the road to
reading,
encourage them to visit us often and go over some pointers "to ensure
that the
storytime experience will be a wonderful one for everyone". I tell them
that
since there are so many children it is important to keep their little
ones close
so they can interact during the storytime ("your child may enjoy
standing and
walking around during a story, but that can be very distracting for other
children"); that it's their role to participate in the fingerplays and
activities ("your child may not want to participate during the storytime
and
that's OK, but when they want to do the activities later, you'll want to
know
what they were so you can do them together") and model good storytime
behavior
for their children, which means they need to save conversations for after
storytime. I do this in about 3 - 5 minutes, usually at the end so I
catch the
latecomers. We include most of this in our storytime brochure. I
encourage my
staff, as the individuals doing the programs, to repeat these sentiments as
often as necessary and if they have a really tough group, I've gone in
and given
my speech again. I find that if you emphasize that the idea is for every
child
to have the best possible storytime experience, the parents are pretty
receptive. And be sure to thank them for realizing the importance of
storytime
and making the effort to bring their children - they appreciate the positive
reinforcement! Good luck!
Julie Rothenfluh
Children's Services Supervisor
Nichols Library
Naperville, IL
jrothen@lib.naperville.il.us
Whenever this starts to get out of hand, I make an announcement right before
I start the first book (after Shaking Our Sillies out and other introductory
material, in an attempt to catch the late-comers.) I don't write it out, but
it is something along the lines of "Now let's get ready for our first
story.
Everyone turn your ears all the way up and zip your lips. Grown-ups, this
includes you, too! When you visit, your voices carry more than you might
think and it can be very distracting to your children who are trying so hard
to sit still and listen." I have found that the people who are are don't
observe general etiquette rules won't read or follow anything you put in
writing, but they do (usually) respond to a direct request like this. Then,
if they start acting up during the story, I just give them the evil eye and
that usually does the trick. I don't know that there is any easy answer, or
any one right answer, to this. Good luck whatever you decide!
Regards,
Sue
Sue Ridnour
Children's Services Manager
Flower Mound (TX) Public Library
972.874.6153
sridnour@flower-mound.com
Phyllis--
I've seen this problem at several libraries I've worked at and I am very
pleased at the positive way we handled it and the results! First people
don't read flyers, second if you make announcements at the beginning the
kids get wiggly and the adults tune you out plus you want to start the
program on a positive note not with a bunch of do's and don'ts (and if you
repeat it often enough you will be as effective as airline stewardesses
telling us how to buckle our seatbelts).
First realize that socialization is important (keep reading I will get to
crowd control) both for the children and the parents who are stuck at home
with children all day and don't see other adults.
We encourage parents to come early before the program and talk. We have
parenting displays in the children's dept. and different displays for
children, we also have puzzles, puppets etc. We are lucky to have a
separate storytelling room I keep that door closed until the program
begins. This room is special for storytime, programs etc it is not for
jumping running climbing on the storytime stairs etc. When we move into
the storytime room parents or caregivers sit with their children (I know
there are different points of view on this which have already been
discussed on pubyac). I do a lot of participatory stories and I want the
parents and children to participate together. Also I encourage parents to
share stories at home just like we are in storytime so I am role modeling
for them. (One library I worked at the parents sat in chairs in the back
of the room and the kids on the floor. The parents talked a lot and the
kids kept turning around or getting up and walking back to the parents so
we changed to have parents and kids together). I also select books that
are for both parents and children maybe there are some jokes for adults
others for children. We sing a lot and do finger plays --believe me it is
hard to talk to another adult when 50 kids in the room are singing and
clapping bingo. I end storytime with a coloring sheet and time for parents
to talk to each other while their child is coloring. It also gives me a
chance to talk to children and parents individually. I frequently
recommend books during this time and just get to know the patrons. Coloring
time at the end also solves another problem ie kids who just "have" to
tell
me about their new puppy etc in the middle of the story instead of the
parent or myself having to say be quiet we can say "I'd really like to hear
about that when we color." I use coloring sheets instead of crafts because
crafts take more prep time, supplies and grown up help (I am the only
employee in the room) and I want to keep the focus on books. About every 6
weeks we do a craft.
If parents still talk during storytime I try to catch their eye and keep
going if I am in the middle of a story. If I am doing something where the
audience participates I ask the talker or the talkers children to join in.
If this doesn't work I approach the adult after the program and say "You
probably didn't realize we could hear you up front...You are welcome to
talk during coloring time or before or after the programs. I'm glad you
and your child came today, building a reading foundation is very important.
We can share stories here once a week, but you can have storytime every
day at home."
A final thing that helped was we opened up more storytime slots to keep the
attendance in each program lower. We also offer a program for 0 to 3 (3x a
week) and Preschool storytime 3x a
week (one evening, 2 morning we are considering a Saturday storytime next).
We are in a town of 44,000 with one library no branches. I have 2 full
time staff (including myself and 2 part time employees) we have 6
storytimes a week for 0-5 year olds, walk in with parents and during the
school year we do 45 storytimes a month for Head Start and daycares.
We rarely have problems in storytime and I've never asked the same person
twice to be quiet. I take time before and after storytime and during
coloring time to get to know the parents and kids. This has really paid
off in the library (and in the grocery store, bookstore, restuarant and
everywhere else library patrons see me!). We have a great storytime and
lots of fun without having to hand out flyers make announcements etc.
Parents who are talking get the message without being embarassed and we can
all enjoy storytime together.
Wow! I didn't intend to go on this long. If you have any questions or
comments on anything let me know.
Jennifer
Jennifer McQuilkin Children's Librarian, Joplin Public Library
300 S. Main St. Email hzz006@mail.connect.more.net
Joplin, MO 64801-2384 (417)623-7953 phone, (417)624-5217 fax
Dear Phyllis,
We have a flyer that was made up by our library system to help
prevent/solve this problem. We find it helpful to go over the
guidelines with the parents at the beginning of the session. Also, when
we find the kids migrating to the front with the parents chatting in
back, we will occasionally do a fingerplay that requires two people (a
bounce or tickle) and say--"You need your big person for this one, so
everyone go sit by Mommy or Daddy or Grandma/Grandpa." It sort of
forces the issue in a nice way.
Kym Lucas, Children's Department Supervisor
Brunswick Community Library
I am cutting & pasting a 1-sheet storytime guidelines for this summer
that I pass out to all the parents who attend my summer storytimes. My
storytimes during the school year are smaller, so that I don't really
need to use it then. Hope it helps.
Beverly Bixler
bbixler@sanantonio.gov
San Antonio Public Library, TX
2002 SUMMER STORYTIME GUIDELINES:
STORYTIME CHOICES
We will be presenting three storytimes on Tuesdays during the summer of
2002. The 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. storytimes are for pre-school &
Kinder children, ages 2-5. The 11:00 a.m.program is a repeat of the
10:00 a.m. program. You will be allowed to participate in only one of
the two preschool storytime programs, not both. The 2:00 p.m. storytime
is for children who are entering or are in elementary school (1st grade
and up).
PUNCTUALITY
Storytimes begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Latecomers are a particular distraction during summer storytimes and
disrupt the flow of the program. Please arrive by 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m.,
or 1:45 p.m. in order to find a good seat for the program and in order
to take children to the restroom before the start of storytime.
Latecomers will not be able to attend that day's program.
PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO:
v Attend with their preschool child and sit with him/her during storytime.
v Reinforce appropriate group behavior: taking turns, listening to
stories, remaining in rim of circle during songs and participating in
finger plays.
v Encourage their child to participate by modeling appropriate actions;
i.e., finger plays, repeating after storyteller, song motions.
v Be attentive: Please do not chat with other adults during storytime.
v Be considerate: Cell phones must be turned off.
CHILDREN'S ABILITIES:
v Some children require more time and support to "join in" group
activities. Not every child is ready for a group experience at the same age.
v We expect children to be active and energetic. However, PLEASE LEAVE
THE SESSION IF YOUR CHILD BECOMES TOO RESTLESS OR BEGINS CRYING. Please
come back for the next session.
Hi, Phyllis. Yes, we also have this problem. We typed up little cards
(6-8 on a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet) and hand them to the parents at the beginning
of a new session that talk about the importance of listening and setting a
good example for the children. They state that "Storytime is quiet
time."
We also made a corresponding large poster and display it on an easel at
the entrance to the storytime area for the first couple of weeks of a new
session. Later, if the parents forget, we get the poster out again. At
the beginning of a new session, we speak about the importance of listening
and being quiet. We suggest that if adults would like to visit with each
other they move to a different part of the children's area where they can
visit and have coffee. Works for the most part. There is the
occasional time when you just have to stop and ask people to get quiet.
If you want more info., give me a holler.
Happy summer,
Cathy
Cathy Sullivan Seblonka
Youth Services Librarian
Peter White Public Library
217 N. Front St.
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-9510
fax (906) 226-1783
e-mail: cathys@uproc.lib.mi.us
Hello-
Due to an incident with a down right nasty parent I finally instituted a
storytime policy. This is handed out when the parent signs the child up.
These are merely guidelines to the expected behavior level of the child for
this particular age group. At the time of sign up I make it clear that
parents are to stay with their children. At the first storytime I announce
who I am and what my job is. I also let them know that I will start
storytime when everyone is either on the couch we have or on the floor next
to it. I try to stop parents from talking by simply smiling at them before
story and waiting for them to stop or I give them a glance during the story
and this will usually quell them. I did find that some parents enjoyed
sitting behind me and chatting. I then encouraged them to sit with their
children and I also removed all chairs from behind me. Some parents had the
nerve to go get chairs and sit behind me. I gently but firmly told them
that I would prefer that they sat with their children.
In essence, gently put down some rules that should be standard for everyone
involved with storytime. Write them out and then go over them at the
beginning of every storytime until they get the message. If this doesn't
work and they are extremely disruptive to the storytime experience then you
will have to personally explain your expectations or suggest that perhaps
this is not the situation for them.
I hope this helps, I've got to run off to storytime myself now.
Karen L. Gabbert Armand
Ames Free Library
Easton, MA
Phyllis,
We have had similar problems and have found the best way for us to
resolve it is to mention before each session that we encourage parents
and care givers to participate in the fun, but if they choose to
socialize they may do so outside the program area. We have also gone so
far as to remove the chairs from the program area and place them in the
main section of the department near the picture books. This way the
parents have to sit on the floor with their children, or sit outside the
area. That usually curtails the conversation. However there are those
inconsiderate few who despite anything you do will still be disruptive.
Hope this helps.
Beth McFarland
Youth Services
Westland Area Library
Columbus Ohio
After having similar problems, I handed the parents a note at the very first
storytime of the next 8-week session that said:
Last spring I had several complaints from patrons who were very unhappy over
what they saw as rude behavior on the part of some storytime parents. I'd
like to make this program a pleasant experience for everyone.
If you stay in the storytime room with your child, please do not talk to
other parents, even in whispers. You are welcome to socialize after
storytime in the library. Thank you for helping me make *everyone* happy!
It worked like a charm. I sort of adapted it into a set of a few "storytime
rules" and I now hand that note out at the first storytime of each session.
There are always a couple of moms who insist on whispering through the whole
thing, but other parents usually glare at them until they stop.
Susan Erhardt, Youth Librarian
Kent District Library, Plainfield Branch
Grand Rapids, Michigan
*opinions are mine and may not agree with those of the library!*
I have a couple of suggestions. For children 3 and older, don't let the
parents
in. They may well be happy to sit outside and talk (once they get used
to it!)
For programs where I do have parents in and they talk, I just stop what I am
doing and look at them and wait. As soon as they are aware of the
silence (and
all of the other disgruntled parents waiting) then they shut up. I don't
have to
say anything that they might be offended by!
Sheilah O'Connor
Children's Librarian
Toronto Public Library
I usually stop reading, wait for them to notice, then smile at them or say
"excuse me" and it takes care of it - I actually just did this on
saturday.
The parents are usually embarrassed but not offended.
Phyllis,
While you certainly need policies in place at all times, posting them and
having them available may not solve your problem, because people just don't
read things and, if they do, they often feel that the rules don't apply to
them.
Personally, I don't think that anything can replace just speaking to the
offending parent. It is fairly easy to come up with nonthreatening ways to
confront someone in this manner. One time I simply used a thick skinned
talkative grownup as a "scapegoat" - when I asked her to be quiet, the
rest
of the group got the hint. You just need to get to know the parents as well
as the children - that way correction can be more friendly and no one gets
offended.
Sarah
Sarah Sachs, Children's Librarian
Potsdam Public Library
2 Park Street
Potsdam, NY 13676
sachs@northnet.org
Phone(315)265-7230
Fax (315)268-0306
Phyllis,
We found we had this problem at one of our branch libraries with carers who
would use the storytime session as a general catch up session. We used
all sorts
of methods of getting the message across. Firstly we glared at them to
give them
the message. Unfortunately this merely taught them to avoid looking at the
storyteller. So then we said things like I'm not starting until we are all
quite. This was directed at the children in general but when the kids
were quite
and the talking adults continued we would say "thats funny I can still hear
voices." This generally got the message across. A couple of times we had
some
real issues with the kids not being able to settle and the carers not
helping
with their talking so we really spat the dummy and got annoyed.
Unfortunately
this did do the trick for a month or so. The best tactic has been to move
storytime into a smaller more controllable space and this has finally
silenced
them a fair bit as they have realised how much their voices were
disturbing the
group.
I have found with this sort of thing it is often better to be direct
with the
adults and explain the problem in terms of it being a distraction to the
children who will follow the adults example and not get any benefits
from the
session if the talking continues.
Hope this helps
Karen Strudwick
Children's Librarian
I have in my brochure to welcome them at the beginning that "we
appreciate parents setting the example of 'good listening' for the
children ...."
I still have problems sometimes though and I just stop reading and wait
for them to finally get the hint... They are usually a little sheepish
but do quit talking ... :)
Good luck!
Marty Staton
mstaton@ci.poquoson.va.us
Poquoson Public Library
500 City Hall Ave.
Poquoson, VA 23662
757-868-3060
Phyllis,
I've experienced this distraction/annoyance too from time to time and
have addressed it either during storytime or at the beginning of the
following session to get ahead of trouble. I do know that for the parents,
who are often isolated in their work of parenting, these other parents are
their co-workers, so to speak, their allies. And I remember how glad I used
to be when I was a parent of young children, to have real adults to talk to,
and at places like the library I found adults who cared about some of the
same things as I did. With that in mind, I now often provide a short craft
time at the end of the stories/music/ fingerplay time, and parents have
learned that that is a good (better) time to chat and get to know each
other. Takes a little more prep time, but it goes to patron satisfaction
and service to children AND parents.
Best wishes.
------------------------------
From: "Suzi Wackerbarth" <saw70@stargate.pitt.edu>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: ah yes, irma and jerry!
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 12:23:07 CDT
Thanks, I found the stumper! A dog and cat living in the city. Thanks for
all replies!
Suzi W.
------------------------------
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: When all of your programs fill up...
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 12:23:14 CDT
Thanks Lisa,
Lots of people are responding with the idea of using larger meeting
spaces, having more
drop-in programs, and staggered registration that gives preference to
residents firs.
I think I'll incorporate a combination of these ideas next year.
We've always had small weekly storytimes, where I've gotten to know all
of the kids and
moms personally. I guess I'm worried that larger programs will mean I
won't know them
all as well. Still, I could do a combination of programs so that more
people will be served. Thanks again for writing. Have a nice summer.
Laura
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org
[mailto:owner-pubyac@prairienet.org]On
Behalf Of Lisa Hughes
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2002 11:12 AM
To: 'pubyac@prairienet.org'
Subject: Re: When all of your programs fill up...
Our programs are fairly small and we have a good-sized community room so
we haven't needed to do registration. Other libraries in the area do
give
out tickets, but they start giving out tickets for a program one week
before the program. None of the programs are in series. Have you
looked
at any other area you could do your programs in? If you're limited to
15
people, it would be really hard to do enough programs! Do you repeat
programs? It still takes staff time, but offering one program five
times
is much easier than offering five different programs.
Hope this helps!
Lisa Mead Hughes, Children's Services
Campbell Public Library
77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell CA 95008-1499
voice: (866-1991) fax: (408) 866-1433
lhughes@scinet.co.santa-clara.ca.us
*** All standard disclaimers apply ***
------------------------------
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: When all of your programs fill up...
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 12:23:21 CDT
Thanks for your input Nicole. Congratulations on making your programs so
accessible to everyone.
I think a change is definately needed for us next year. Lots of people
are recommending
outdoor events and more drop in programs. Budget-wise, its nice for me
to know I'll have
enough supplies for those who show up, but it does mean that not
everyone gets served.
Thanks for writing. Have a terriffic summer with your programming.
Laura
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org
[mailto:owner-pubyac@prairienet.org]On
Behalf Of Nicole Reader
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2002 11:30 AM
To: PUBYAC
Subject: RE: When all of your programs fill up...
How nice for the library's special events to
be so popular, but how terrible that there
isn't room for every patron who wants to
attend. The current discussion of "full"
events reminded me of something Miss Manners
says about planning wedding receptions: if
you have a lot of loved ones but a limited
amount of money to spend on your reception,
what do you do? Do you leave out some of
your friends and relations so you can serve
prime rib, or do you invite everyone you love
and serve them cake and punch?
It's no wonder many of the librarians who
have posted on this topic feel guilty about
turning eager patrons away. Our professional
instinct is to serve every child, even if
that child is in day care, has parents who
can't get their act together to register for
programs, or is just unlucky enough to have
an event fill up. My feeling: if there's not
enough room for all the interested members of
the public at a certain event, the event
needs to be changed, or offered more than
once.
Last year nearly 5,000 people attended
approximately 150 storytimes and other
children's events at my library, and no
registration was required for any of them.
(I'm not counting group visits and baby
storytimes, which *do* require
registration.) I work at a single-branch
library serving a town of 27,000, so this
would be more difficult at a library serving
a larger number of people, but I still think
it's worth it to strive to make every library
program as open and accessible as possible.
Yes, there are sacrifices to be made--for
example, since we have an average of 100
people at each Summer Reading Program event,
there are some types of events we simply
can't offer--but it's worth it to be able to
remove barriers to free and easy access.
N.
------------
Nicole Reader
Head Youth Services Librarian
Benicia (CA) Public Library
nreader@snap.lib.ca.us
www.ci.benicia.ca.us/library.html
------------------------------
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: When all of your programs fill up..(long)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 12:23:27 CDT
Hi Paula,
I'm sure I've met you at a meeting once or twice. Thanks for writing.
This procedure seems fair to all. I like the idea of residents getting
first crack at the programs. Do you find that people with relatives or
friends from other areas are turned off
by being excluded? Does it take much time to see that people only signed
up for the one of each type of program intitially?
I usually figure that 20 percent won't show up for a program, and tell
those on the waiting
list that the first 20 or so will get in if they show up. But I think
people are turned off
by this. I would be too- my kids are 5 and 6 and I'm sure they would be
dissappointed if
they didn't. It tends to be that whoever is in the library when the
program is going on
finds out about it and gets in.
Thanks again for writing. I'm sure I'll incorporate some of your ideas
next year.
Have a nice summer.
Laura
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org
[mailto:owner-pubyac@prairienet.org]On
Behalf Of Paulalef@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2002 11:12 AM
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: When all of your programs fill up..(long)
Laura,
We have a similar situation. This summer is even worse than usual. There
are
two things we do which might help you.
First we have only in-person registration of residents in our service
area
on
the first day of registration. This gives people who make the effort a
leg
up
on others who don't and also makes sure that local residents get first
crack
at the programs. We say that after the first day of registration, any
available spaces may be filled by phone and by nonresidents. Our program
is
much larger and more varied than other local libraries', so we must do
this
to ensure that our taxpayers get their money's worth.
Second, we designate programs "S" for story hour and "I" for
special
interest
group. Each child may register for one of each initially, but may
register
on
the waiting list for all others. If the other programs don't fill, the
child
may be asked to join those groups. If the other groups fill, at least
the
child gets his first choice and more children can be served.
We have a few programs that don't require registration and are open to
all.
These tend to be the ones that use the large meeting rooms. We also have
some
in which we start our requiring registration but don't expect to have to
limit, but ultimately have to limit too. This year we closed out our
chess
club when it became apparent that the players would crowd our large
meeting
room. We've maintained a waiting list, though, so if some drop out we
can
replace them.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Paula Lefkowitz
Parsippany (NJ) PL
paulalef@aol.com
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End of PUBYAC Digest 794
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