[Publib] Adult library programming

[Andrea Vernola]

One thing that I make sure to do is consult the local college and school
calendars, the community calendar, and other things like that. It really
helps to know what else is going on in the community to either plan an
event that would complement another program somewhere else or to avoid
planning an event on nights when everyone will be busy. 

That being said, I've had better attendance on weekday evenings after
dinner (7 or 7:30) than at any other time. Tuesdays and Thursdays seem
to work well. Even though Thursday is our slowest night at the library,
we still seem to have good attendance at programs that evening. 

A burst of good weather in the Spring or a even a minor snowfall has
cleared out my attendance on occasion. And I haven't experienced this
yet but coworkers have told me not to even bother planning adult
programs in July and August because so many people are on vacation that
attendance is always poor. So I take an adult programming break at that
time and do some children's and/or family stuff.

Andrea Vernola
Reference Librarian
Adult Program Coordinator
Woodstock Public Library
Woodstock, Illinois

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Jennie J. Stoltz
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 3:42 PM
To: Conrad Rader
Cc: Patti Barsch; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Adult library programming

I agree, finding out what else is going on in the community is the first
thing you should do.  In one community that I worked the church choirs
met on Tuesday nights so that pretty much meant no adult programming on
those evenings.

Also, sometimes it just takes trial and error - we've discovered that
Wednesday evenings don't work for us here.

And as has been mentioned, you can't please everyone - at my previous
Library I had a few people complain about the fact that I had a series
of programs on Wednesday nights because it conflicted with the programs
at the Zoo.  Sounds reasonable except that the zoo was a 30 minute+
drive away.  If I had to schedule my programs based on a 75 mile radius
that would be rather problematic!

Jennie J. Stoltz
Director
Pewaukee Public Library
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
(262) 691-5670, ext. 20
(262) 691-5673 fax

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----- Original Message -----
From: Conrad Rader <conrad.rader at gmail.com>
Date: Monday, May 5, 2008 1:22 pm
Subject: Re: [Publib] Adult library programming
To: Patti Barsch <PBarsch at sjpl.lib.mo.us>
Cc: publib at webjunction.org


> 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
>  >
>  
> _______________________________________________
>  Publib mailing list
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>  


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