Topic: Adult Summer Reading

Today we met to talk about Adult Summer Reading Programs (ASR).
  
Attendees included:
Shannon, Hoover
Krysten, Hoover
Michele, Irondale
Maura, Trussville
Dianne, Bessemer
Gina, Gardendale
Jon, Avondale
Mondretta, Leeds

We talked about several techniques to promote ASR among patrons along with ideas for executing the programs. Below are some ideas brought before the roundtable:

• Make a big deal of recognizing partners in the community who donate prizes. (The more you do this, the more businesses will come to you to participate!)
• Put your reading log online for patrons so they can participate from home  (Check out Hoover's online reading log: http://www.hooverlibrary.org/sites/default/files/shared-files/2015_asr_bw_reading_log.pdf)
• Reader’s Bingo:  Hoover encourages a different genre each summer by offering “Bingo” cards with a variety of options. See the Science Fiction/Fantasy and Romance Bingo examples:
  
• Take pictures of winners of prizes for Facebook postings.
• Encourage reading across formats (non-library material, ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, etc.)
• Heavily promote “grown-up” prizes (gift cards for gas & groceries are VERY popular – any amount is appreciated!)
• Promote “goodies for grown-ups” out in the community.
• Encourage patrons to submit reviews of books online through the online catalog (Encore)
• Encourage staff with incentives so they will market the program to patrons. (Everyone loves a cookie!)
• Create “New Summer Reading” bibliographies to make it easier for patrons to select a book.
• Give positive reinforcement to patrons for reading even small number of books (Gardendale gives things like candy to those adults who complete one book.  Avondale does small weekly drawings.)
• Offer adult programs throughout the summer to encourage participation.  Examples include:

• Avondale has area artists demonstrate different techniques.
• Gardendale has knitting and gardening programs planned.
• Eastwood is preparing programs on in-state vacation alternatives.
• Trussville is offering quilting, beekeeping, healthy cooking alternatives, and DIY projects.
• For more ideas for adult programs, see the link for the Google Docs spreadsheet link labeled "ASRT Programming Resource" on this page.

For other resources for investigating ASR ideas along with some good examples of online ASR, consult the list below:

• Adult Winter Reading Program at Normal Public Library, Normal, IL:            http://www.normalpl.org/activities/adults/wrp/
• ALA Library Summer Reading Programs (with themes, grants, resources & benefits):      http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet1
• Bozeman Public Library Adult Program:  http://www.bozemanlibrary.org/news/page.php?pageID=99
• Collaborative Summer Library Program, 2015 Adult Program:  Escape the Ordinary:  http://www.cslpreads.org
•   “Marketing Adult Reading Programs to the Public,” Marketing Library Services, April/May 1999.      http://www.infotoday.com/mls/apr99/story.htm
• OCLC WebJunction Article: Adult Reading Program at the New Milford Public  https://www.webjunction.org/documents/webjunction/Adult_Reading_Program_at_the_New_Milford_Public_Library.html
• Washington County, Hillsboro, Oregon:  http://www.wccls.org/srp/adults
•  ALA Big Read:  http://bigreadresources.pbworks.com
• Alabama Humanities Foundation:   http://www.ahf.net
•  Library Success Stories / Best Practices for Adult Programming:   http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Programs_for_Adults
•  ALA's Public Programs Office (with grant opportunities):  http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/index.cfm
• The Programming Librarian:  http://www.programminglibrarian.org
• Adult Reading Incentive Programs on a Shoestring Budget:   http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.cla-net.org/resource/resmgr/imported/ReadingIncentivePrograms.pdf
• Check out Random House's Newsletter recommending Adult Summer Reading activities:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/266141054/Summer-Book-Favorites-Programs-Onesheet#.VV9ZELlVikp

Our Next Meeting:

Thursday, July 16th at 10 am, 

Hoover Public Library, Theatre Level Meeting Rooms

Topic:  eResources in general, specifically ePeriodicals.