What Works
Notes from What Works @ your library workshops
Day In Day Out seminar 29 June 2004-07-02
What Works?
Something For Everyone program for Library Week 2004 (Bayside Library Service):
§ Paid full colour wraparound for local newspaper to advertise program of events
§ Dog trainer-most popular event
§ AFL footballer also popular
§ Reading chair with books & coffee
§ Program attracted extra visits to libraries
Blackburn Talks: Blackburn Library hold popular talks and demonstrations while branch is closed on Mondays such as Bonsai, Scrapbooking, Feng Shui. $2.50 charge to cover catering. The talks usually attract 30 local residents and businesses, but must be organised well in advance.
Jobs @ your library (Monash Public Library Service)- booked out session for Your Future campaign
Collection displays: Finance, and Finance for Women, Treasures from the Bottom Shelf
Travelling Treasures: exhibition of State Library of Victoria material
Early Music in the Round (Bayside Library Service)
§ Early Music Guild performs in costume every Sunday afternoon
§ Attracts 80-100 people
§ Advertised by banner and in local paper
Travel related events such as:
§ Caravanning- popular afternoon talk aimed at retirees
§ How to Book
§ Going Overseas for the First Time (with Lonely Planet)
Stargazing- popular all-ages event during summer
Joint events and other relationship marketing with:
§ Multicultural organisations and Migrant Resource Centres, to promote LOTE collections
§ Neighborhood Community Houses
§ Local arts centres/ galleries
§ Local woodworkers (DIY collection)
§ Local nurseries/florists (Gardening collection)
§ Local wine shops (wine & cheese night)
§ Local bookshops- to sell books at literary events
§ Probus clubs
Seniors Computer Club (Bayside Library Service)
§ Grandparents & email sessions
§ Twice weekly training sessions
§ Small fee
§ Training is run by peers
Valentine’s Day competition
§ Books wrapped and ribboned
§ “Take home a blind date” or a “perfect partner”
§ Some barcodes selected to win prizes of chocolates, wine, or flowers
Author Dinner at the Pub (Inverloch Library)- attracted large ‘Grey’ crowd
Made in Moreland (Moreland Council promotion)
Sticker added to CDs, art, books, clothes, etc to promote local businesses and artists
Other ideas:
§ Book launches by local authors, particularly evening events
§ Banners used both externally and internally. e.g. Greater Dandenong uses double sided banner “Live learn discover”. Councils may be able to assist with funding.
§ Door prizes
§ Making use of hidden staff talents!
§ Using the P.A. system to promote events, especially holiday programs
§ Taking part in community festivals, literary festivals, and other external events
For Youth:
Trivia Night (Eastern Regional Libraries)
§ Attracted 35 kids aged 13 to 16
§ 7-9pm, offered mocktails and pizza, prizes such as magazines, questions written by staff
Rhyme Time (Bayside Library Service)
Very popular storytime for <18 months, promoted through maternal & child health centres
Events targeting boys and girls separately (Moreland Libraries), such as:
§ Visits by footballers
§ Music and dancing in Youth Space in conjunction with local schools
§ BrowsA and LARFF teen bookclubs offering free pizza, coke and print credits
Artwork display area (Mildura Library)
§ Joint project with Youth Centre to produce and display 6-8 large artworks by young people
§ Teens learned about digital art programs, Internet, and running a project
§ Also invited local schools to create canvas mural to decorate blank wall
Homework Help (Yarra Melbourne, Greater Dandenong’s Latchkey program, Monash)
Use volunteer tutors & aim at different age groups
Workshops on:
§ Manga art
§ Guitar
§ Writing Rap
§ Keys Please (learning to drive, with VicRoads)
§ Spoken word (eg Express Media and Going Down Swinging poets)
Bean bags in teen areas
Evening storytimes
What hasn’t worked?
Men’s health
Some teen music events
Launch of graphic novel collection
Read Rap (Moreland Libraries)- for primary school children
Diet & exercise for teenagers
School bands, even with pizza and new CDs on offer!
Bad parking arrangements
Too many signs
Media
Local radio is usually very supportive
Journalists and photographers come sometimes but not always
Can build up to regular column in local paper, eg ‘Bookmarks’ in Hamilton paper
Submit regular columns to Council newsletters