[Publib] Adult library programming

[Conrad Rader]

This is one of those questions that is best resolved by a local look around
to see what else is going on.  I know that in my community, Thursday night
is bad because all the church choirs rehearse that evening.  Due to our
proximity to Notre Dame in South Bend, we schedule around football home
games in the fall, as the area gets swamped.  I have tried every which way
to attract people from the 'coffee club' at the local supermarket to no
avail, so usually don't bother with Monday mornings.  Our best times are
Wednesday evenings (after dinner) or Saturday afternoons.  Sometimes,
Saturday mornings are better, and then the weather changes everything.  I
have tried programs in all kind of time slots, and have really given up
trying to find the 'magic time'.  Your mileage may vary, however.  I
sometimes have good success by piggy-backing on other events by offering
something in the same vein.  Our town has an arts festival called Arts in
Motion, so we contribute a program to that, and take advantage of the wider
promotional opportunities.  I have also taken programs on the road to where
people are rather than trying to get them to the library.  I do an annual
book discussion with a local women's group.  Promote, promote, promote, and
keep trying different times and activities, until you reach the size of
group you want to sustain, or give up.

Conrad Rader
Adult Services Librarian
Niles District Library
Niles, MI

On Mon, May 5, 2008 at 2:06 PM, Patti Barsch <PBarsch at sjpl.lib.mo.us> wrote:

>   Greetings All,
>
> I have recently been put in charge of adult programming at my public
> library. While trying to get events set up, I have run across a question. I
> am trying to figure out what time of day to offer these programs. I know
> certain audiences will have a preference. But is there a better "all round"
> time to offer programs for adults to serve a larger population? If anyone
> has any suggestions or input, I will gladly hear it.
>
>  These programs would include current issues as well as author visits.
>
>  Thanks so much for your time and thoughts,
>
> Patti
>
> pbarsch at sjpl.lib.mo.us
>
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