High Impact Programs on a Shoestring Budget
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Transcript of High Impact Programs on a Shoestring Budget
Janie L. Hermann, Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJJanie L. Hermann, Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ
Implementing Implementing
High Impact High Impact Programs Programs
on aon aShoestringShoestring
BudgetBudget
NLA 2008 NLA 2008 Bridging the Gap Bridging the Gap Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV
What is a Shoestring?What is a Shoestring?Depends on a variety of factors such as overall size of operating budget, programming budget and total population served
One library’s shoestring is another’s pot of gold
Free (except for staff time) is the ideal shoestring budget program
My Rule of Thumb:My Rule of Thumb:Under $200 for small libraries
Under $400 for medium libraries
Under $750 for large libraries
Defining ImpactDefining ImpactHard to define, but it is not just the actual attendance for one event or a series of programs.
Impact:
• resonates with the community
• reaches new users
• results in positive feedback
• raises visibility and awareness
• rejuvenates interest
The capacity to create a The capacity to create a powerful effect.powerful effect.
-- Roget’s II: The New Thesaurus
Programming at Princeton Programming at Princeton Public LibraryPublic Library
Single-branch municipal library in heart of downtown
State-of-the-art 58,000 square foot building opened in April 2004
Staff: 54 FTE Population: 31,000
Cross-departmental programming team comprised of 15 staff members
Programming provided for all ages from infants to seniors
“Traditional” in-house programs as well as community outreach and virtual programs
Number of Programs in 2007Number of Programs in 2007
1,7181,718
Program AttendanceProgram Attendance
42,83042,830
ExpandExpand
How do you define programmingHow do you define programming ? ?
Rome wasn’t built in a day …
Programming for adults takes time to grow – there will be failures as well as success along the way. Be patient. If you build it they will come (eventually).
High Tech, Low CostHigh Tech, Low CostExtend your programming reach
with technology:
Interactive blogs and wikis
Podcasting
Technology Talks
Video and Photo Contests
Gaming Nights
Student Film Festival
Customized Social Network
Virtual Poetry ProgramVirtual Poetry Program•Recorded and published a poet per day for National Poetry Month in 2007•Our own community and visitors from across the globe listened and commented•Attendance at the library’s monthly poetry readings went up significantly as a result•Local poets received great PR and requested we do it again in 2008
Podcasting for Free (or close to it)Podcasting for Free (or close to it)
The Princeton Method:•Purchase USB Microphone ($32.95)
•Record and edit using Audacity (free)
•Host files at the Internet Archive (free)
•Post podcasts on a WordPress blog (free)
•Staff Time (varies greatly)
The Proof is in the Numbers
Poetry Podcast 2007:12,615 visits as of August 14 4,994 visits in April 2007 32 visitors per day on average since the blog went live in April 200731 posts total with 59 comments
Poetry Podcast 2008: 5,320 visits as of August 14 359 visits on April 28 2008 (best day ever)
125 visitors per day on average during National Poetry Month 200835 posts total with 95 comments
For more details on the PPL Poetry Podcast Blog visit:http://slideshare.net/janieh
Create an Interactive Adult Summer Reading Club for Free!Create an Interactive Adult Summer Reading Club for Free!
Princeton Public Library used a wiki to capture reviews in 2006 (we now use the review feature in our online catalog).
Many libraries have set up book review blogs and post reviews from members throughout the summer
Steal this next idea – a video contest on YouTube!
Video Review ContestVideo Review Contest
YouTube Channel: Free
Prizes – donations may be possible, if not the cost is relatively low:
Flip Video Camera $150MP3 Players $50-$75
Benefits:Benefits:
Great PR Tool
Interactive
Encourages Creativity
Promotes new Technology
Fun!
Student Film and Video FestivalsStudent Film and Video Festivals
•Designed for high school and college students up to age 24 •Guidelines and call for entries posted via library web site and press release•Students submit completed films•Committee of volunteers screen and selects film•Films are viewed, often with filmmakers present, over several nights•Cost can vary from close to free to $500 or more depending on amount of PR and if prizes or t-shirts are given to participants•Susan Conlon won the VOYA MVP award for creating this program
For detailed Information See: http://www.princeton.lib.nj.us/teens/media/
Photo ContestsPhoto Contests
Not Just for Kids
Examples:•reading favorite book•PPL’s “Red Bag” photo •Where is Thommy Ford?
Create a set on flickr.com for free or post directly to your web site
Digital cameras can be purchased for around $100 to use for contests
Create community,
online conversations,
virtual programs and
promote library events
and news by leveraging
the power of Ning.com
to create a customized
FREE social networking
site for your library.
Become the Community’s Become the Community’s Living Room Living Room
Ongoing monthly programs build connections and create meaning
Impact is not just high attendance – it is about creating something meaningful for those who attend
Be open to all possibilities and build programs that can be self-sustained with the use of volunteers
Examples at PPL:Examples at PPL:Scrapbooking CircleSocrates CaféESL Conversation GroupsBook JourneysSCORE
Partnerships are KeyPartnerships are KeyWho can you work with to provide free, high quality programming?
Almost Anyone!Almost Anyone!Theatres and Art Museums
Colleges, universities and schools
Poetry and writing groups
Local clubs and community organizations
Business and networking groups
Computer Clubs
Annual ProgramsAnnual Programs• Adult Summer Reading
Club• Sounds of the Garden
State Music Series• Princeton Reads• Princeton Environmental
Film Festival • PPL Poet Podcast
OutreachOutreach• Citizenship Classes• Ask a Lawyer• Gente y Cuentos (People
and Stories)• Senior Care Options• Engaged Retirement• SCORE Counseling• Literacy and ESL tutoring
Continuing SeriesContinuing Series• Comments from Campus• McCarter Live at the Library• World Cineclub• Art Talk
– cosponsored with the Princeton Arts Council
• Thinking Allowed (Princeton University Press)
• SCORE Seminars for Small Business
• Princeton Rep PlayLab• Voices Multilingual Poetry Night• National Issues Forum• Based on the Book Film Series• Princeton Festival Previews
Monthly ProgramsMonthly Programs• Writers Talking• US 1 Poet Invite• Readings Over Coffee
(45th Anniversary Season)• Book Discussion Groups
– Fiction, Mystery, Talking Politics, Spanish, Book Journeys
• Socrates Café• Read, Write and Share• Scrapbook Circle • Creative Non-Fiction Writing
Group• Tuesday Technology Talks and
Databytes• Computer Classes (almost daily)
Ideas AboundIdeas Abound
From West Deptford PL in NJ:•Faux Finishing with Lowes•Digital TV tech tips with Radio Shack•Country Line Dancing NightsFor more ideas see: http://www.youtube.com/user/cmw48
From Marylaine Block:•Garage Band night•Memoir-writing workshops•Read to your grandchildren Story Times•Family Game NightFor more ideas see:http://marylaine.com/cheap.html
Election Election Night at Night at the Librarythe Library
Rubik’s Cube Rubik’s Cube CompetitionCompetition
Watch the World Cup Watch the World Cup on the Big Screenon the Big Screen
Synchronized ScreeningSynchronized Screening
Wizard of Oz and Dark Side of the MoonWizard of Oz and Dark Side of the Moon
Picture CreditsSlide 1: www.flickr.com/photos/26506346@N00/115270818
Slide 2: www.flickr.com/photos/54289096@N00/7638076
Slide 4: www.flickr.com/photos/akearns72/193415074/
Slide 5: www.flickr.com/photos/85289736@N00/2679609226
Slide 6: www.flickr.com/photos/49503180180@N01/2294005931
Slide 7: www.flickr.com/photos/36642717@N00/313308360
Slide 9: www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01/72778694
Slide 16: www.flickr.com/photos/16887514@N00/1064207574
Slide 17: www.flickr.com/photos/96466040@N00/2169860900
Slide 20: www.flickr.com/photos/28801512@N00/456715938
Slide 21: www.flickr.com/photos/38633611@N00/232642382
www.flickr.com/photos/14897761@N07/2655184747
www.flickr.com/photos/98894117@N00/237529176