Thursday, March 17, 2016

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Pam, Hoover
Kelly, Springville Road
Leslie, BPL
Maura, Trussville
Caleb, BPL
Debbie, Leeds
Holley, EOL
Deidre, Bessemer
Leigh, North B'ham
Terri, Vestavia Hills

Thank you to Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest for volunteering their location for our meeting.  I am looking for a volunteer guest library for our September 15 meeting. Hopefully that location will be decided soon.

General announcement:  During our July 21st ASRT meeting (topic: employment search support) we will welcome Bill Carlson of Reference USA to discuss more in-depth uses for the database, along with particular uses for employment searches.  Please plan to join us so that we can fully utilize this resource.

Our topic today was Adult Outreach, Programs and Collections.  Most libraries spoke on their long-existing book groups, some of which take place in Assisted Living facilities, Senior Centers, or as, Homewood and Vestavia Hills does, at a local restaurant.  These seem to have loyal followings.  It was noted that if you do go to other facilities, it might be helpful to check out fiction book kits from the Hoover Library. These check out for six weeks and have over 10 copies of each book title.  Here's the link to the latest kit titles.  Terri talked about sponsoring a local group at the Cahaba Brewing Company as a way to start an outside book group. This group continues its "Literary Libations" on the last Wednesday of every month and is no longer affiliated with VH. She also talked about a very loyal group of attendees to a book group that currently meets at the Pita Stop in Cahaba Heights monthly.

Holley spoke about her library's book talks done about twice a year.  The staff there presents the latest reads and gives out wish lists so that participants can be placed on holds for whatever they want.  Other libraries have done this for community groups, garden groups, etc.  Sometimes, it is more of a presentation of services to an audience that may be unaware of what happens at their library.  Sometimes this is because a neighborhood or community is far-flung from the nearest branch.  Raising awareness is a crucial part of our jobs, of course.

Another outside activity is Hoover's example of Trivia Night at Beef O'Brady's restaurant. This is held the second Monday of every month and is open to the public.  Lauren develops individual trivia questions based on a particular theme, always trying to incorporate some library trivia throughout. This has garnered quite a following.

That was about all of the programs mentioned that are out in the community, but we did talk about other efforts to bring patrons into the library such as the very popular adult coloring programs.  These are very passive, minimalist programs that run on Hawaiian Punch and cookies!  Other popular efforts involve fiber arts programs, lessons and talks along with crafting such as sewing (both Springville Road and Leeds have sewing machines at their libraries!)

Caleb mentioned that as a result of one individual requesting a trivia contest to be held at the library for their family reunion, this will be developed into an offering to other local family reunions.  All departments participate and can last all day for the family members.

Besides programs, we also discussed particular special materials that are currently circulating at various libraries.  Hoover has Nooks, Samsung tablets, adult designer board games, adult video games, and Internet hotspots.  Other libraries do have Internet hotspots that are extremely popular.  BPL Central branch also checks out Art pieces to the community for a two-month circulation period.  Although Hoover's experience with these new types of collections so far is new, everyone agrees it has brought in an untapped dynamic of the community to the library.  

What are your experiences with alternative outreach or alternative collections?  Have you read about other libraries doing something innovative?  Please feel free to visit the Facebook page for JCPLA Adult Services Roundtable for an open discussion!