|
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: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 2:08 PM
Subject: PUBYAC digest 796
PUBYAC Digest 796
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Mark Twain, Picture Book? Easy Reader?
by "Sharon Castanteen" <sharoncast48@hotmail.com>
2) Leap Pad
by "Wendy Rosenfeld" <rosenfeldw@pbclibrary.org>
3) Sno-Isle Regional Job Postings for the Week of July 2, 2002
by Valerie Worrell <VWorrell@sno-isle.org>
4) Help with Children's Magazine Index
by Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
5) Book crafts
by "Andrea Johnson" <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
6) RE: Storytimes on TV
by Marge Loch-Wouters <LochWouters@menashalibrary.org>
7) Re: picture books
by Joan Olson <joan.olson@nsanpete.k12.ut.us>
8) Re: Florida librarians
by Kathleen Site <sitek@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us>
9) Re: Japanese picture books
by Cathy Wilterding <wilterding@tarleton.edu>
10) Re: Storytimes on TV
by theresa robinett <theresart@yahoo.com>
11) RE: Storytimes on TV
by "Denise P. Stout" <dpstout@ccls.org>
12) opening
by "Charles Heller" <cheller@brainlink.com>
13) Re: Seeking ideas/suggestions on incentives to continue Summer
Reading
by Elgin Public Library <elginlib@eoni.com>
14) Re: Seeking ideas/suggestions on incentives to continue Summer
by "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us>
15) Chapter Books for 4-6 year olds
by Kelly Vikstrom <vikstrom@mail.pratt.lib.md.us>
16) Re: Call number question for CD 5/02
by "M. Mills" <mmills@leaguecitylibrary.org>
17) When programs fill up/ summary
by "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Sharon Castanteen" <sharoncast48@hotmail.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Mark Twain, Picture Book? Easy Reader?
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:06:21 CDT
Does anyone know of an adapted version of any Mark Twain story in picture
book or easy reader form?
Sharon Castanteen
Children's Librarian
River Edge Public Library
River Edge, New Jersey
_________________________________________________________________
Join the world's largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.
http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
From: "Wendy Rosenfeld" <rosenfeldw@pbclibrary.org>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Leap Pad
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:06:29 CDT
We are thinking about purchasing Leap pad, an interactive book with
cartridges for use in our children's area. It's a self contained
learning center to help children learn to read. Has anyone purchased
one for their library? If so, would you recommend it? If not, please
share what you know. Please email responses directly to me at
rosenfeldw@pbclibrary.org. Thank
you for your help.
Wendy Rosenfeld
Youth Services Coordinator
Palm Beach County Library System
3650 Summit Blvd.
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406-4198
Tel. 561-233-2745
FAX 561-233-2627
------------------------------
From: Valerie Worrell <VWorrell@sno-isle.org>
To: PUBYAC <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Sno-Isle Regional Job Postings for the Week of July 2, 2002
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:06:35 CDT
Sno-Isle Regional Library System has an opening for Island Region Manager,
40 hours/week located at the Marysville Service Center in Washington State.
Job #0239 Open Until Filled - Consideration of applications will begin on
June 14, 2002. For more information and to obtain an application on this
employment opportunity, please visit our website at
http://www.sno-isle.org/employment/
or contact our Job line at (360)
651-7040.
___________________________________________________________________________
Valerie Worrell
Sno-Isle Regional Library
Human Resources
Phone: 360-651-7004
Fax: 360-651-7151
------------------------------
From: Jennifer Baker <jbaker93711@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Help with Children's Magazine Index
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:06:42 CDT
Hello all!
I'm looking for a kid's magazine but my new library
does not subscribe to the Children's Magazine Index.
I'm looking for the Kids Discover issue that covered
the topic of Shakespeare. We subscribe to the
magazine, we just don't know which issue we are
looking for.
If you have CMI can you please take a look at it to
see if the issue we are looking for is indexed and let
me know what month/year we are looking for.
thank you!
Please reply direct to me jbaker93711@yahoo.com
~j.
=====
~jenniferbaker
"If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist."
~ Jocasta Nu (librarian from "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the
Clones")
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free
http://sbc.yahoo.com
------------------------------
From: "Andrea Johnson" <ajohnson@cooklib.org>
To: <PUBYAC@prairienet.org>
Subject: Book crafts
content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:06:48 CDT
Hi all,
I seem to recall reading or hearing somewhere about crafts someone had =
done with Reader's Digest Condensed Books. Does anyone know of projects =
to do with these? They don't have to be crafts that could be done at =
the library. I seem to remember hearing about someone making furniture =
with them or something, and I have a co-worker who is interested in =
trying something like that. =20
Anyone remember seeing this somewhere? I tried a google search and got =
a bunch of websites for library book sales saying "We do not accept =
Reader's Digest Condensed Books."
Andrea Johnson
Cook Memorial Library
Libertyville, IL=20
ajohnson@cooklib.org
------------------------------
From: Marge Loch-Wouters <LochWouters@menashalibrary.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Storytimes on TV
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:06:54 CDT
Re: Cable storytimes using books:
--Do you need permission from the copyright holders to read stories aloud
for broadcast?
Yes
-If so, is there usually a fee for this permission?
Many times, there is a fee per use of the book. The range can be $25-$500
and up (let's you know which publishers *really* don't want you to use their
books). Occasionally, when it is a single use, local broadcast only, the fee
may be waived.
--I realize there will be variation among publishers, but wanted to know
what is the norm?
If you request copyright, expect to get a fair number of non-responses.
When we needed 4-5 books for a local public radio show, it was typical to
send out approximately 20 requests to find enough no fee/low fee permissions
to do a thirty minute storytime.
------------------------------
From: Joan Olson <joan.olson@nsanpete.k12.ut.us>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: picture books
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:01 CDT
Hi Nancy,
We label our as such: On the Call Number we type ICR (I
Can Read) then
Fic ABC This works well for us.
Joan
Nancy Bonne wrote:
> Our branch library is closed for two years while they do repairs and
> alterations, and we will have all their picture books on the shelves of
our
> main branch during this time. My question to all of you: what's
the best
> way to label the shelves for picture/easy books? We don't even try to
keep
> them in strict alphabetical order, but do keep the A's together, B's
> together, etc. In the past we've tried different things, like
construction
> paper letters, that fall off and get torn. Now with the number of
books
> almost doubled, I'd like to try something that will work. Does anybody
have
> any ideas? nancy bonne....bonne@noblenet.org
> Nancy Bonne
> Children's Librarian
> Beverly Public Library
> bonne@noblenet.org
------------------------------
From: Kathleen Site <sitek@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Florida librarians
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:07 CDT
Here is a link to all the libraries in our system:
http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/liblocales/
www.publiclibraries.com
I hope this help.
***************************************************************************
Kathy Site, Librarian
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public System
900 N. Ashely Dr., Tampa Fl 33602-3704
sitek@hcplc.org
On Tue, 2 Jul 2002, Tina Hager wrote:
> My daughter and I will be taking a trip to Florida and will be in the
> Orlando, Kissimmee, and Tampa areas. If you let us know where your
> libraries are located, the hours, and phone number (in case we get lost),
if
> we have time, we will try to stop by:) For those Libraries which are
not
> necessarily in those towns but kind of close by, let me know your
locations
> to and we will see what we can do.
>
> Looking forward to hearing from Florida:)
>
> Tina Irene Hager "Ms. Tina"
> Carrollton Public Library
> 4220 N. Josey Lane at Hebron Parkway
> Carrollton, TX 75010
> tina.hager@cityofcarrollton.com
> 972-466-3365
> "Read something, spread the word"
>
>
------------------------------
From: Cathy Wilterding <wilterding@tarleton.edu>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Japanese picture books
MIME-version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:14 CDT
Japanese Book News, which is published quarterly by the Japan Foundation,
might be a useful resource.
Here's a bit of the intro about the publication:
It is published "mainly to apprise publishers, editors, translators,
scholars and libraries of the latest trends in Japanese publishing and
selected new titles introduced with brief descriptions of the content.
Articles and information included provide a window for Japanese books that
contribute to the reservoir of
human knowledge and the advancement of mutual understanding between Japan
and the rest of the world."
Japanese Book News' homepage is located at
http://www.jpf.go.jp/e/media/publish/4_04right.html
Several issues contain a Children's Book section, and the publication is
online in Adobe format.
Cathy Wilterding
Reference Librarian
Dick Smith Library
Tarleton State University
At 11:02 AM 7/2/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>charset="iso-8859-1"
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>X-edited-by: pyowner@pallasinc.com
>Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 10:44:39 CDT
>Sender: owner-pubyac@prairienet.org
>X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.2.07 -- ListProc(tm) by CREN
>
>Hello!
> I have a Japanese patron who was wondering if there was a
list of
>picture books published in the U.S. that were first published in Japan.
>I have some authors and found books using Amazon.com
>Does anyone have any other suggestions of authors, publishers, titles, or
>other places I could check? I can easily find books featuring Japanese
>characters, but cannot necessarily tell if they were published in Japan
>first.
>
>Thank you
>
>Authors I have found:
>Hayashi Akiko
>Taro gomi
>Rieko Nakagawa
>Takaaki Nomura
>Chiyoko Tomioka
>Yoriko Tsutsui
>
>
>Cathy Chesher
>Children's Librarian
>Adrian Public Library
>143 E. Maumee St.
>Adrian, MI 49221
>517-265-2265
>cchesher@monroe.lib.mi.us
>
>
>
------------------------------
From: theresa robinett <theresart@yahoo.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Storytimes on TV
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:20 CDT
We have been producing this type of program for the
past three years for our local public access cable
station.
Each title you use must have clearance from the
publisher and must be used word for word. This is an
exhaustive process and really requires someone who is
very detail oriented to oversee it.
Good Luck
Theresa Robinett
Children's Librarian
Glendale Public Library
Glendale, Ca
--- Martha Jordan <mjordan@ouachita.lib.la.us>
wrote:
>
> Our library has been approached by our local cable
> company about airing some
> of our storytime programs on the local origin cable
> channel. Has anyone
> else done this? Do you need permission from the
> copyright holders to read
> stories aloud for broadcast? If so, is there
> usually a fee for this
> permission? I realize there will be variation among
> publishers, but wanted
> to know what is the norm?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Martha Jordan
> Ouachita Parish Public Library
> Monroe, LA 71201
> mjordan@ouachita.lib.la.us
>
__________________________________________________
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Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free
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------------------------------
From: "Denise P. Stout" <dpstout@ccls.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: RE: Storytimes on TV
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:27 CDT
Yes, you need permission. A librarian at my old library almost got nabbed
by te copyright fols because of this. I don't remember any fees, but
definatley get permission!
Denise M. Pulgino Stout
Youth Services Outreach Librarian
Chester County Library
610-280-2672
dpstout@ccls.org
Why do dragons have long tails? They can't remember short stories!
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog,
it's too
dark to read." Groucho Marx
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Martha Jordan [SMTP:mjordan@ouachita.lib.la.us]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 8:43 AM
> To: PUBYAC
> Subject: Storytimes on TV
>
>
> Our library has been approached by our local cable company about airing
> some
> of our storytime programs on the local origin cable channel. Has
anyone
> else done this? Do you need permission from the copyright holders to
read
> stories aloud for broadcast? If so, is there usually a fee for this
> permission? I realize there will be variation among publishers, but
> wanted
> to know what is the norm?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Martha Jordan
> Ouachita Parish Public Library
> Monroe, LA 71201
> mjordan@ouachita.lib.la.us
------------------------------
From: "Charles Heller" <cheller@brainlink.com>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: opening
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:33 CDT
We have been retained by Brooklyn Public to assist them in their search
could you please put this on your job site
Director of Youth Services
Brooklyn Public Library seeks a Director of Youth Services to lead a dynamic
program of library services to youth through a network of 58 neighborhood
libraries and Central library. BPL serves a culturally diverse population of
2.5 million people, 27% of whom are under the age of 18. Young people
constitute 36% of BPL's registered cardholders and borrow over 5 million
library materials yearly.
This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic individual to shape the
future of youth services at BPL and to partner with the borough's
educational, cultural and community service providers. The Director of
Youth Services reports to the Deputy Director for Public Service and will
oversee all children, teen and school initiatives.
Qualifications: Masters in Library Science (ALA Accredited), preferred
second degree in education or related youth field, five years of management
experience including public library experience, and demonstrated ability to
lead a \departmental team.
The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to youth services a with a
record of advocacy, strategic partnering and program and budget management,
highly advanced communication skills, demonstrated knowledge of the use of
technology with youth.
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent fringe
benefits.
Submit a cover and resume by August 2002 to cheller@brainlink.com
or
scott@hellerandassociates.com
Charles Heller
cheller@brainlink.com
www.Hellerandassociates.com
Charles Heller
cheller@brainlink.com
www.Hellerandassociates.com
------------------------------
From: Elgin Public Library <elginlib@eoni.com>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Seeking ideas/suggestions on incentives to continue Summer
Reading
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:40 CDT
Sharon,
Here at the Elgin Public Library, we too had children that read their 10
books in no time flat. What I have found to be helpful is that we also
award a Grand Prize for the most books read. This will be a Summer Reading
Program T-shirt. I have anticipated a great response and have ordered 3
t-shirts.
We also have a weekly drawing. The prizes are for video rentals, swim
passes, kite kit, gift certificate for a local shop that sells ice cream
and jelly beans. Each time the child comes into the library and for each
book read they can enter their name into the pot for the drawing.
Hope this helps.
Theresa Chandler
Library Director
Elgin Public Library
260 N 10th
Elgin, OR 97827
elginlib@eoni.com
At 12:10 PM 6/30/02 -0500, you wrote:
>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: "Linda Peterson" <lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us>
To: <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: Seeking ideas/suggestions on incentives to continue Summer
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:47 CDT
I actually had a parent come in yesterday suggesting I do something for kids
who have already finished our program. Of course in theory, if the child is
that avid a reader he's probably not the one that needs the program. I
suggested to the mother that some of the parents of exceptional readers have
made their own incentives to encourage their children to keep reading and
she looked at me like I was crazy! I worry that if I put out too many goals
the slow readers will get discouraged. I think we are goping to let ones
that finish keep reading and enter a drawing also.
Linda Peterson
Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library
125 South Franklin
Bloomfield, Indiana 47424
Phone: (812)384-4125
Fax: (812)384-0820
email: lpeterson@bloomfield.lib.in.us
----- Original Message -----
From: "sharon cerasoli" <sharoncerasoli@hotmail.com>
To: "PUBYAC: PUBlic librarians servi" <pubyac@prairienet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2002 12:10 PM
Subject: Seeking ideas/suggestions on incentives to continue Summer Reading
>
> 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: Kelly Vikstrom <vikstrom@mail.pratt.lib.md.us>
To: PUBYAC@prairienet.org
Subject: Chapter Books for 4-6 year olds
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:07:53 CDT
Thank you to all who responded to my request for chapter books to be read
aloud to children ages four to six! The most common response was that Jim
Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook, 5th ed. (Aug. 2001), has some good
recommendations. I didn't even think to look there, but I certainly will
ASAP. Another response was that 1960's and older books are often more
appropriate because they are a little more innocent than today's books.
Following is a list of suggested authors and titles.
Recommended Authors:
Cleary, Beverly
White, E.B.
Wilder, Laura Ingalls
Park, Barbara
Erickson, John R.
Nesbit, Edith
Burnett, Frances Hodgson
Baum, L. Frank
Burgess, Thornton W.
Christopher, Matt
Haywood, Carolyn
Milne, A.A.
Stories from Cricket magazine
Recommended Titles:
Atwater, Richard -- Mr. Popper's Penguins
Averill, Esther -- Cat Club titles
Bentacourt, Jeanne -- Pony Pal books
Brooks, Walter -- Freddy the Pig stories
Carroll, Lewis -- Alice in Wonderland
Carroll, Lewis -- Through the Looking Glass
Dale, Jenny -- Kitten Friends series
Daligliesh, Alice -- The Bears on Hemlock Mountain
Duey, Kathleen -- Unicorn's Secret Quartet series
Estes, Eleanor -- Moffat books
Estes, Eleanor -- Ginger Pye
Gooden, Rumer -- Impunity Jane
Gooden, Rumer -- Miss Happiness
Gooden, Rumer -- Miss Flower
Gooden, Rumer -- The Doll's House
Hurwitz, Joanna -- Nora and Mrs.Mind-your-Own-Business
Hurwitz, Joanna -- Russell Sprouts
Jarrell, Randall -- Animal Family
Jarrell, Randall -- Gingerbread Rabbit
Leaf, Monro -- Ferdinand the Bull
Lovelace, Maud Hart -- Betsy-Tacy books (till Betsy gets to high school)
McCloskey, Robert -- Homer Price
Milne, A.A. -- Winnie the Pooh
Osborne, Mary Pope -- Magic Tree House Series
Park, Barbara -- Junie B. Jones books
Ransome, Arthur -- Swallows and Amazons
Rylant, Cynthia -- Cobble Street Cousins books
Sandburg, Carl -- Rootabaga Stories
White, E.B. -- Charlotte's Web
White, E.B. -- Stuart Little
------------------------------
From: "M. Mills" <mmills@leaguecitylibrary.org>
To: pubyac@prairienet.org
Subject: Re: Call number question for CD 5/02
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:08:00 CDT
El, la, las, los, un, una, unas, unos, le, les, etc. are all forms of a,
an, the, one, some.
Inconsistencies abound in whichever library I have worked. In general,
using the first major word in the title past the a, an's, and the's would
be the easiest overall cataloging policy for whichever book, video, audio,
DVD, cd you are adding to your collection. There are a couple of
exceptions when the word EL is a part of the title, but these instances are
pretty rare. Think about this: if all foreign language titles were
cataloged by a and/or an and/or the first, then alphabetically by the first
signficant word AFTER the a, an or the, how ridiculously longwinded the
list would be...Just my opinion...and a late one at that....
At 10:23 PM 5/8/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>I am wondering how you treat CDs or videos that begin with an article in a
>foreign language (e.g., "Les Miserables", "El Lobo") in
call numbers/spine
>labels. I know that by cataloging rules the initial article is ignored
in
>the MARC record, but most library patrons do not understand this,
especially
>for foreign languages. I have a new children's CD entitled "El
Lobo Songs
>and Dances from Latin America" and am questioning whether to give it
the
>spine label "J CD E" or "J CD L" (it's a title main
entry record). I
>checked some other library catalogs and found only one that owned it; they
>put it under "L" as is technically correct. I looked at how
these
libraries
>have "Les Miserables" and most do seem to put their CDs or videos
under "M"
>not "L".
>
>How do you explain this to your patrons? Do patrons find things when
>looking them up in the catalog? (I.e., if they look up "Les
Miserables"
>under "Les", they will not find the items at all.) Do
you use correct
>cataloging records but make the spine label "incorrect" and more
>user-friendly for people who may just check the shelf for a title?
>
>Thanks,
>Rae Kozloff
>Anacortes Public Library
>raek@cityofanacortes.org
------------------------------
From: "Gruninger, Laura" <lgruning@MCL.org>
To: "'pubyac@prairienet.org'"
<pubyac@prairienet.org>
Subject: When programs fill up/ summary
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 15:08:08 CDT
Thanks to all of you for taking so much time to help me with solutions
to fair registration and accomodating more patrons for summer
reading programs. Many of your solutions would be helpful throughout the
year as well. I would have been much more organized this summer if I had
thought of all of this before... I won't take lots of space time
summarizing because the cut-and-paste document that follows is LONG. But
in a nutshell, the solutions included: larger programs, more drop-ins,
less registration, limited time for registration, pre-registration for
residents vs. nonresidents, ticketing for events, 1-hour before show
ticketing, no session storytimes, no telephone registration, limiting
the number of programs patrons can register for, outdoor programs,
off-site programs, etc.
In the document that follows: I pasted the name of the sender at the end
of each message, with their email address.
Thanks again
Laura Gruninger, Children's Librarian
Mercer County Library System, Lawrence HQ
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Hi Laura - I am having the same program here at our library. In addition
to
four weekly storytimes for ages 4 to 7, I also run a craft program every
Tuesday night. I allow patrons to register for two (of 6) and then
waitlist
for others - however, two hours after I began registration I had waiting
lists 30 to 40 people long. I have decided to run an extra session each
Tuesday - which will be pretty frantic, as myself and my assitant will
each
be in charge of a group of at least 20 children each. Also, I have
contacted
the local Walmart, explaining the circumstances, and they are fairly
certain
that they can fund some supplies. I will open the last craft to everyone
(a
bring your own T-shirt Tie Dye session) and so will only have to provide
(in
most cases) and extra craft for each child. I have just over 300
registrations every year (in a town of 10,000 people), and had 199 sign
up
within the first two hours. Besides the craft programs, our Drama
Workshops
and most special events are full (with over 40 signed up) as well. I am
the
only full-time staff member and run 64 programs in a 6 week period - I
try
to accomodate everyone, but sometimes you just have to resign yourself
to
the limits of human capability. I would limit registration for events -
tell
each patron they can choose 2 or 3 and then waitlist for others,
allowing
others a chance and then calling them if there is room. Although as you
can
see from my situation - it is still no safe bet! Take care and good
luck!
Melissa Melissa MacLeod [mmacleod@sailsinc.org]
Laura,
I don't know how to reply to pubyac but I think I would limit the amount
of
programs people can sign up for, or instead of having a 16 week session
for
the same group, make it 4 week sessions, 4 seperate times and do the
same
thing so there would be no reason for the same people to sign up. Do
you
have age limits? Maybe you could do the same thing for different age
groups
and then they could only sign up for their age group. Doing it the way
you
do it, even if everyone came on that first day there wouldn't be room
for
everyone, and you're right, it's not fair. I'm from a small public
library
and the only problem we've had this year so far, is having to do 2
Captain
Underpants partys because we didn't have enough room for everyone, and
doing
2 craft sessions for each age group.
Leslie Sutherland
Carroll County Public Library
Carrollton, Ky 4100Leslie.Sutherland@mail.state.ky.us
<mailto:4100Leslie.Sutherland@mail.state.ky.us>
Laura,
Is there anyway you can have some programs outside the library, so a
virtually unlimited number of people could attend? It's too hot here
during the summer, but we use our large lobby area, which can
accommodate about 300 at a time. We also offer smaller storytimes once
a week, which we limit to 30, mostly to enhance the children's
experience.
Christine
YA Librarian
Midwest City Library Christine Dettlaff [cdettlaff@mls.lib.ok.us]
I just wanted to send a big thank-you to all the PUBYACers who sent me
4th
of July craft ideas and website links. I've chosen a few good ones to
do.
I think I'll use some of the fireworks ones, as they also tie in with
'Territory Day' (the day on which the Northern Territory of Australia
became
self-governing) which is the 1st of July. The Northern Territory is one
of
only 2 states/territories in Australia in which one can purchase
fireworks.
'Cracker Night' is popular with kids of all ages, and gives us a great
link
to our American cousins and 4th July.
If anyone is interested in a compiled list of responses, just give me a
yell
and I'll send it on to you.
Thanks again - and Happy 4th of July!
Tina Cavanough
Children's and Youth Services Librarian
Alice Springs Public Library
PO Box 1071
ALICE SPRINGS 0871
Northern Territory
Australia
Ph: 08-8950 0556
Fax: 08-8952 2402
Email: tcavanough@astc.nt.gov.au
Well, we usually have 200-250 tickets for a big
performance, and we don't usually run out of tickets (it has happened,
but not that often). We've done it this way long enough, and we usually
explain the reasoning (so many other options in the summertime that
people may pick up tickets a week in advance and then decide to go to
the pool instead, so those spots are wasted) so that most people are
understanding. Also, it has happened before that we have run out of
tickets but told additional folks that we'll accommodate them if space
is available when all ticket holders are seated. We have to rent space
for these large programs (we only have one program room, which
accommodates only 20-25), and the room that we rent is pretty large, so
we have generally been able to accommodate everyone.
As far as no guarantees that folks will get in,
well, there's never a guarantee, is there? Even if you do your
registration a week or more in advance, it's still first come, first
served. People who really want tickets show up early and wait for the
time we start distributing tickets (sometimes for the really popular
stuff we get a little bit of a line forming), and at least this way, the
people getting tickets are really going to use them. If we did it a
week ahead, I'm sure we'd have some people who'd line up to get tickets
(taking away a potential spot for someone else) and then not show up for
the program.
We do also (unofficially) allow folks to pick up
tickets for friends or neighbors who will be coming, as long as they
bring the library card of the family they're getting tickets for... So
if for some reason a person can't come in at 1:00 to get tickets but can
come to the show at 2:00, they can give their card to a neighbor to get
the tickets for them.
All in all, it has turned out to be relatively
laid-back. It helps that we're willing (and usually able) to stretch
our limits a little, and that we do require folks to have a library card
with us to attend a program (typically there are residents of nearby
library districts who are interested that we must turn away, but we
would be overwhelmed if we tried to accommodate non-residents as there
are other library districts who don't have the budget for as much
programming as we do).
Probably more than you wanted to know... I
guess you got me going!
AndreaAndrea Johnson [ajohnson@cooklib.org]
I already wrote to tell you of our week-in-advance registration, but I
should clarify. We do a combination of registration during most of the
year; storytimes run on a 6-week session and are registered the
Wednesday before the session begins. Other programs are registered by
phone or in person a week before the program, and most are one-shot
programs. We used to do more 6-week session-long programs, but found
our attendance is better at most school-age programs with registration
(and advertising) done on a per-program basis. Large performance-type
programs are ticketed rather than registered (we usually require patrons
to drop in and show their library card to receive tickets for the
performance; tickets are given out starting a week before the show).
However, in the summer, things are a little different. School-age
programs are still registered a week in advance, but we usually take a
waiting list and then call all registrants the night before or morning
of to remind them of the program. Cancellations are then filled from
the waiting list. Yes, it is a little labor-intensive, but the more
mature youth volunteers can handle this job, and it really helps with
the no-shows. (In the summer, without confirmation phone calls, we can
have as many as a third of registered participants blow off a program,
which is a real shame when there were others waiting.)
In the summer, we don't require registration for preschool storytime at
all. All storytimes are drop-in only -- otherwise we'd have a hard time
getting folks to commit to 6 weeks of storytime and show up every week
-- so many people take vacations & such. We do other drop-in programs
as well, such as movies with popcorn (nice on a hot summer afternoon to
come into the A/C and relax with a movie), and lots of make-it-&-take-it
crafts.
Also, our big-ticket performances are different in the summer, too. We
still distribute tickets, but we give out the tickets beginning an hour
before the show. This ensures nobody picks up a ticket that isn't
planning to go, or takes a ticket and then bows out when something
better comes along that day.
Hope this helps!
Andrea Johnson
Cook Memorial Library
ajohnson@cooklib.org <mailto:ajohnson@cooklib.org>
Hi, Laura.
Isn't it great to be so successful? (That's what my director always
says when I tell him we're going nuts and can't seem to provide enough
programs to keep everyone happy....)
Our solution has been to drop storytimes in the summer, when attendance
always drops, and concentrate on school age children. The rationale is
that we do weeks and weeks of preschool events over the winter, so
summer is more or less dedicated to older kids.
We started hiring performers who could handle large crowds, making sure
that some of the events are suitable for small children.
Our meeting room is small, but we've packed about 200 folks in for some
things (and hope the fire marshall doesn't drop in. I have no idea what
the legal capacity is, and neither does anyone else).
We also don't register for the small events until 2 weeks before the
event. We've been burned by those early birds who sign up for
everything and then are gone to the beach when the event happens. By
waiting, they have a better idea of their plans and you don't waste a
spot on someone who is a no-show.
We also have hired a couple of big names and split the cost with another
organization, and we hold the event in the municipal gym a short
distance away. We can thus accomodate several hundred for a singer, for
example.
We get gripes too, but we just take them and smile. Don't try to
overprogram to please the crowds, as it is a sure path to burnout.
Of course, there's nothing that says that you can't hint to other
sources for more money to hire performers - that takes a lot of pressure
of if you aren't creating original programs yourself.
Good luck!
Carol Chatfield
Ilsley Public Library
Middlebury, Vt 05753
cchatfield@myriad.middlebury.edu
<mailto:cchatfield@myriad.middlebury.edu>
Laura:
my only suggestion would be to invesitage alternate spaces in your
community to hold programs. There are only so many hours in a day to
hold
programs (and only so much inspiration, energy and money to put them
together) so that never is really a place where you can do a lot of
expanding. Does the library have a lawn? Weather doesn't always
cooperate
but it doesn't take a lot of space outdoors to accomodate 100 kids. Is
there a park (maybe with a shelter) nearby, a community center, even a
big
meeting room in city hall? It may be too late this year to arrange for
other spaces but off-site programming is something that I am hearing
about
more and more these days. That's my $.02 worth.
Eric Norton
Head of Children's Services
McMillan Memorial Library
Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494
715-423-1040
enorton@scls.lib.wi.us <mailto:enorton@scls.lib.wi.us>
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
We found a good method in my library in Brigantine. We sign up 20
children
in each craft class. We can really accommodate 25. We then tell patrons
we
accept walk-ins if people are over 5 minutes late. You did not say if
your
classes are well attended. We always have aleast five children not show
up.
These ways when extras show up you have 5 spaces immediately (the number
of
walk-ins that usually show up) we can also then take any latecomers. We
found that this eliminated people signing up who could not make all the
classes or just sign up for everything without checking their schedules.
The
conventional waiting lists did not work because by the time you realized
a
child wasn't coming it was too late to contact them. This way if the
class
is full the patrons still have a chance. Keener, Lesa
[LKeener@acmail.aclink.org]
Laura, We had the same problem when we allowed people to sign up in
advance
for the entire summer. Now we limit sign up to two weeks ahead of the
actual event. We had so many no shows then had to scramble to call pople
on
the waiting list. Perhaps you could also have a drawing for who gets to
go,
or find another place to do your programs. Warrenville Public Library
District, Warrenville Illinois Penny BohlenPenny Bohlen
[penny@warrenville.com]
Laura,
We also used to have a problem with programs filling up. As you said,
the first people who register for the SRP tend to sign up for all the
programs, whether they actually intend to come to them or not, and leave
no room for the people who come afterwards.
Last year, we started a new procedure. For each of our summer special
events, we only make the sign-up sheet available two weeks prior to the
event. So the people who show up the first day can sign up for programs
that will happen during the next two weeks, but they have to come in the
following week to sign up for an event to be held on the third week,
etc. We advertise in our SRP fliers and website when registration for
each event begins, so patrons have no excuse about not knowing. We have
found this to be much more fair than allowing a few early birds to hog
everything. And people who sign up within 2 weeks of an event are more
likely to remember to come than people who registered 6 weeks before.
We also indicate the age range for each event, since every program is
for all ages.
This has not been a scheduling nightmare for us - we just have to
remember to put out the sign up sheets when we say we will. And there
are a lot less complaints from patrons.
Hope this helps,
Martha Simpson, Stratford (CT) Libraryowner-pubyac@prairienet.org;
on
behalf of; Martha Simpson [msimpsonmls@snet.net]
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 <mailto:paulalef@aol.com>
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
<mailto:lhughes@scinet.co.santa-clara.ca.us>
For us, it's space that's a problem. We have a space problem at the =
library and only one room for programs, so we can point to the obvious =
need to limit attendance. Here's how we do registration for our =
limited-space programs:
1. Registration is limited to our library district's cardholders, as =
they are our taxpayers and therefore have paid for the program.
2. Registration for each one-day program is held one week in advance of
=
the program. We take registration by phone and in person (but not via =
voicemail), and first come, first served. Programs are publicized well
=
in advance of registration so everyone has plenty of advance notice. We
=
do have a few six-week programs but tend to do fewer of these in the =
summer as vacations play havoc with attendance at a six-week long =
program. Having registration spread out throughout the summer helps =
ease the burden of doing registration for so many programs.
Hope this helps,
Andrea Johnson
Cook Memorial Public Library
Libertyville, IL
ajohnson@cooklib.org <mailto:ajohnson@cooklib.org>
Laura,
i just wanted to let you know the crafts ar only part of each summer's
events we also have three concurrent 6 week story programs going on:
a series of professional storytellers for schoolage children, an
evening pajama storytime for 2-5 year olds that meets at the same time
as
the storytellers and daytime storytimes some for 2-3 and some for 4-5.
the
separate craft time is actually to keep the storytimes craft free and
more
book focused.
Good luck on funding. i know our director is impressed with the number
of
projects we can do with just a little money and several staff members
have
told me how pleased family, friends and neighbors are with all of the
programs so people do come to the other programs as well as the crafts.
JulieJulie Ann Rines [jrines@ocln.org]
One idea might be to just have the number of tickets one program can
hold,
then hand them out first come first serve until the tickets are all
handed
out. The library system I used to work for used this ticket idea,and
started
handing out tickets a half hour before the program.
This idea works well because you are not dealing with the no-show
problem
(people who are eager to sign up but do not actually ATTEND the event).
Perhaps you could have a tiny giveaway for those who might get turned
away.
Another idea might be to have some inexpensive yet fun activity like
sidewalk chalk games or bubbles outdoors for the people who cannot get
in to
the craft event.
Hope this helps.
Georgia Jones
C.A. Friday Library
New Richmond WIGeorgia Jones [georgiajones@ifls.lib.wi.us]
At the Marathon County Public Library we try to avoid registration for
programs at any cost! We find the process cumbersome and time
consuming.
I would pursue trying to rearrange your space in your children's library
to accommodate larger groups. We have a storytime room that has a limit
of 50, but if I even suspect that we will have more than that I move the
program into the largest open spot in the Children's Library. Several
years ago we moved some shelving stacks to allow us this flexibility.
If I'm having a program, I have to move 3 study tables with the chairs,
the puzzle/activity shelf (on wheels) and another puzzle cube (light,
easy to move). I move them into the storyroom so parents with younger
children can keep them busy during the program.
It is sometimes hot, loud, exciting, fun for kids and parents. It's not
ideal, but I can't afford to do multiple programs on our budget. The
rest of the library staff accept that program days are good for the
whole library and avoid the Children's Library on Tuesdays! You can
take a look at our schedule and see if our situation is similar to
yours. Good Luck!
www.mcpl.lib.wi.us <http://www.mcpl.lib.wi.us>
Sonja N. Ackerman
Marathon County Public Library
Hi -
this is not a perfect solution (there is no such animal, of course!) but
here is what we do:
our Summer Reading Club is also funded by our Foundation - and we are
incredibly grateful for this, as otherwise we would not be able to do
nearly
as much, but it is indeed a set amount of money, and we can't go back
and
get more. (we can ask for more for the next year, but that's it).
Anyway - we have 8 special programs over June and July (usually one a
week
except this year where there are 9 weeks, so one week doesn't have a
program). In our system we have 11 locations; 3 large, 4 medium, and 3
small. All our programs are at each location, with the large ones
having
the programs two times. Our system is that we give out free tickets for
each program starting exactly two weeks before the program. The tickets
have to be picked up in person at the location the tickets are for, and
a
person can pick up to six tickets. (so, a person has to physically come
into the Evergreen Library to get tickets to an Evergreen program, and
Evergreen is the only location I have tickets for). People have the
choice
of getting tickets for a different library than they regularly attend,
because the tickets are given to whomever asks for them (maybe they have
a
library card, maybe they don't, maybe they're from Jefferson County,
maybe
they're from Park County which is only a few miles from us up here).
Each location has a set number of tickets available depending on their
space
- our meeting room holds 40, so we give out 50 tickets (counting on some
no-shows). One of our larger libraries has a meeting room that holds
90, so
they give out 110 tickets. We also have a waiting list, which starts 15
minutes before the program. That way, people who really want to attend
the
program but couldn't get a ticket, may come (in person, they can't phone
in
and get on the waiting list) and put their name on the list. At the
time
the program is to start, we take a room count - if it is not at 40
(which is
fire code), and start admitting people on the wait list. (The free
tickets
state on the back that if the holder is not at the program at the start
time, their seat may be given away.)
We have done this for about four years, and we usually run out of
tickets
for each program pretty quickly. At the beginning of the summer
everyone is
gung-ho, and the tickets run out in one (occasionally two) days. Later
in
the summer, people are not so rabid, and probably have figured out that
there's lots to do, and we have tickets available for three to eight
days
before the program (depending on how popular the individual program
looks to
be).
People are sometimes disappointed that they didn't get tickets, but the
policy is pretty clear and because each program has it's own start date
for
getting tickets, they can try again. One thing I did this year was to
try
to schedule my programs on a variety of days - in previous years they
were
always on Tuesdays, which meant the folks who came on Tuesday for the
program usually snapped up the tickets for the program in two weeks
(also on
a Tuesday). With the variety of days, tickets become available on days
other than program days.
This is a LOT of detail - hope I haven't bored you!!
Leslie Hauschildt lhauscht@jefferson.lib.co.us
<mailto:lhauscht@jefferson.lib.co.us>
One thing we do here is to restrict sign up to town residents for the
first
2 days--this gives the residents a chance to get in first, but does not
totally preclude non residents from registering. Another suggestion
might
be to change from a full 6 week program to two 3 week programs, and only
allow them to sign up once. I often find that with a multi week program
lots of kids don't show up each week because of vacations, sickness,
etc.
Another benefit is you can repeat the program and so only have to create
3
programs since kids can't register twice. We are a fairly small library
with very limited staff, so we often must limit sign ups for things, but
we
also try to offer some "drop in days" where we plan a very simple,
self
directed craft activity so kids can at least participate in something.
Good
luck with your summer.
Beth Coughlin, Children's Librarian
Swampscott Public Library
Swampscott, MA
coughlin@noblenet.org <mailto:coughlin@noblenet.org>
Hi Laura,
I am in a town of only 17,000, so what I say may not be
relevant for
you? but last year I had 900 people register for the SRP, and this year
I
began Tuesday and have well over 500 already ...
I also have many people who attend events and take all the materials -
but
don't register!
I tried this year to give them a # as they register (which will be used
on
weekly raffles) but people will still take things without registering. I
don't know what they have against registering, but I will run out of
materials soon and will have to make photocopies of logs etc.
I don't want to say "I'm sorry,but materials are limited to registered
participants" because all that will do is alienate them and leave them
with
a bad feeling about the library. So I guess next year I just order a lot
more than the number that actually register this year!
Anyway, I have discovered there is no foolproof way, but what
I do
is
try to have as many drop-in programs a week as possible (and our
community
room and park can hold 200 children)- we do weekly drop-in crafts,
drop-in
family storytimes, family concerts, plays, and a puppet show/magic show
or
animal program each week. I have dozens of Jr. Friends/YAs who take
turns
assisting with the drop-in crafts. I was worried that we wouldn't be
able to
handle the crowds with drop-in, but I have found that their ability to
pick
and choose keeps attendance at a reasonable level. However, I also like
to
offer programs which only accommodate a smaller number of participants.
For
those, I mark the calendar with * and state that separate registration
for
all * events begins 2 weeks prior to each event. So I stagger those
registrations, and don't fill up the events with the same families and
with
people who might even forget all the things they signed up for at the
beginning of the summer. This is my third year doing this; it works well
here. Also, I solicit(and get)funding from local businesses. It is a tax
deduction and great PR for them - and it allows me to offer a very full
schedule. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Lee Parker
Youth Services Librarian
Norton Public Library
Norton, MALee Parker [lparker@sailsinc.org]
Laura,
Sounds like you're doing a great job, but need more space!
We have
an
ongoing drop-in craft in the Children's Library all summer. Each week
we do
a booklist loosely (very) related to the theme. We pick one book as the
featured book of the week and make it noncirculating then we do a simple
craft. We put out the supplies needed, the directions and a sample.
This
week the list is on pond life, the featured book is Green Wilma and the
craft is a paperbag frog puppet. It seems to make people happy that no
matter when they come they can do something special.
Our space constraints are not as tight as yours so we
only register
for
2 year olds where we had uncontrollable group sizes. Rhode Island is
small
and library cards are good at every public library so many people cross
city
borders to use libraries and attend programs. We limit registration on
the
first two days of registration to Warwick residents only and then we
allow
patrons from other cities and towns to register. This basically
eliminates
everybody else, which I feel bad about, but perhaps they should insist
that
their library offer more programs. As a headquarter library you may
have
difficulties doing that. Could you offer 2 four week sessions instead
of 6
weeks and only let them sign up for one session?
Being good is a difficult problem. Good Luck
Susan Lepore
Coordinator of Children's Services
Warwick Public Library
Warwick, RI
susanle@lori.state.ri.us <mailto:susanle@lori.state.ri.us>
We used to have much the same problem, and then we decided to do the
individual registration two weeks before any given program, we also
offer
some programs that we basically take over the library for and don't
limit
the registration, and this helps when people aren't able to make it into
the
programs they're interested in. Some of the people who'd immediately
snapped up the spots in the programs when we did all of our registration
the
first week were highly offended, but over-all I think people are
happier.
(We do three programs a week at the larger branch that I work at, and do
a
lot of the programs outside on the lawn because then, even though the
presenter has to deal with the planes flying over and the cars driving
past,
we are able to accomodate more people. It saves some on staff sanity,
and
if it's a "rain" day we have an agreement with the branch manager to
bring
the program inside and disrupt the whole library ... older people
looking
for a quiet place don't tend to come on program days any longer, but
they
seem fine with that.
Opinions shared above are my own, and not the policies of the Kent
District
Library.
Jacque Viol
Youth Librarian
Kent District Library Alto and Cascade branches
6071 Linfield
Alto, MI 49302
(616)647-3820 Jacquelyn Viol [JViol@kdl.org]
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End of PUBYAC Digest 796
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