[Publib] Adult program ideas for public libraries

[Paul Ericsson]

Hi Sheila --

This question is very timely to discussions and planning at our 
library so I hope that you can post a summary of any off-list (or 
all) replies that you get.  In our Library's recent past we did not 
have any regularity or frequency to adult programs (we always have 
had good kids programming).  We now are starting to do some for 
adults, and are just trying to be systematic and not get too far 
ahead of ourselves.  I've included our Friends group in the planning 
and we are seeing some slow but steady response from them that this 
may be a good thing for them to be involved in. They now provide some 
funding. I will welcome their assistance in the planning and the execution.

All of what we have done so far is standard-fare
- monthly book discussion group - we offer a Monday noon and Thursday 
evening for the same title.  I am never bored attending twice
- author visits for local area authors (we have lots in northern MN)
- this spring will be doing two lecture-style series of three 
presentations for each series - one series on travel, and one series 
on gardening.  Again, local people doing the presentations.  The 
gardening series will probably be by our local Master Gardeners group.
- Senior Surf computer training has been hugely successful and 
appears to be increasing in popularity.  Again, we are partnering 
with a local agency - we provide the computers and handle the 
reservations and help with publicity and they provide the trainer and 
materials. We allow the attendees in at 8:00 which is one hour before 
we open.  Then we keep them booked at the public computers for 
another hour after we open.  Minimal disruption to the public 
computer schedule and easy on staff schedule.   One of the staff does 
give a 15 minute intro to using our catalog and internet databases.

Probably my words of encouragement are to be deliberate and 
systematic in growing the program.  In a much different context 
(church youth group) I was involved in setting up a program from 
start.  We did alot of partnering with other groups and basically 
said that we would expand _____ many programs each year (you fill in 
the blank).  In five years we went from zero to a full schedule that 
the kids and parents felt was as full as they wanted to go.  The 
point is -- we were intentional and patient.  And in time- it paid 
dividends.  I am using the same 'tude here in this Library and 
clearly it is working for the patrons, the staff, the Library Board 
and the City Administration.

Best wishes with it.

Paul

Paul Ericsson
Branch manager, Bemidji Public Library
218-751-3963
ericssonp at krls.org




At 08:55 AM 1/23/2008, Sheila Bissonnette wrote:
>Good morning,
>
>I'm looking for great suggestions for programs for adults.  I'm just 
>curious what other libraries out there are finding successful with 
>adult patrons.  We have good results with author visits, but I'm 
>looking for ideas to promote our collections/services but yet be fun 
>and a little bit different.  We are partnering with our local parks 
>& recreation department in a winter walking program (in our 
>basement) We just completed a construction project and I need to 
>catch up on what libraries are doing for programs.  Any 
>suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Also, is there a listserv out there that focuses on programs for 
>adults/seniors in libraries?
>
>Thanks in advance
>Sheila
>
>Sheila Bissonnette, MLIS
>Library Director
>Pere Marquette District Library
>185 E 4th Street
>Clare, MI  48617
>
>Phone:  989-386-7576
>Fax:      989-386-3576
>
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>Publib mailing list
>Publib at webjunction.org
>http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
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