[Publib] Adult summer reading

[elizabeth fraser]

Hi
   We have done an adult summer reading program for a number of years.  And
this last year did a major re-evaluation of our program.  We went out last
summer and scoured the web for what other libraries were doing.

    Our program has always been to read 6 books.  We pick broad categories
at the start of summer and they read a book in each.  Sometimes there is a
theme tying them together like art and some years not.  The categories
include both fiction and nonfiction every year.  Staff compiles some
booklists for each category as a jumping off point.  Some patrons view these
as a "must be from list" tool and others realize that there is flexibility.
We don't judge if a book is in a category, if a patron says it is, it is.

   Our program runs from the start of June to the end of August. We have a
reception with a dessert bite buffet and a speaker in September.  The
speaker is usually someone from the community as we have no money for this.
Everyone who signed up is invited.  People who finish the 6 books get a
prize.  We usually have about 200 people complete and spend about $3 per
prize.  Mugs screened with the Britton Summer Reading logo or a book related
quote are the most popular prizes.

    We've followed this pattern for some time and wanted to look at it
again. In searching the web we found that we were unusual. Most have a
thematic name for their program, but let people read what they want.  Many
libraries let people enter into a drawing for each book they read.  Patrons
are normally winning gift certificates for places in the communities.  In
emailing libraries, some libraries are getting donations of the certificates
and others buy them.  All said that food certificates were among the most
popular.

   After that we did a survey of our patrons.  We mailed surveys to
particpants and also did a survey on our web page to reach those who didn't
participate.  We thought we might restructure our prizes.  However patrons
told us they took great pride in their mugs or other prize as a sign of
personal acheivement.   Our 6 categories pattern had mixed responses.  Some
patrons felt it was good because they read outside their normal reading
habits. Others felt it was too restrictive and that they just wanted to read
what they liked.

   As a result we did make some changes.  We added more categories and
people will read 6 books still, but with more choices.  We've decided not to
do drawings for larger prizes, but continue to spend our money on the
completion prize.

   We are also considering doing a shorter winter reading club.  Our plan,
which isn't final, is to have people read fewer books, but not focusing on
"beach book" reading.  This is still in the very early planning stages.

  If you would like to know more about what we found in our searching, let
me know

Elizabeth

-- 
Elizabeth Fraser
Reference Services Head
Kanawha County Public Library
123 Capitol St
Charleston WV 25301
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