Topic: Going Beyond the Expected
Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Terri, Vestavia Hills
Deidre, Bessemer
Maura, Trussville
Joan, Avondale
Jeff, Hueytown
NEW: I'm trying to get you, the reader, more involved in case you miss the meetings. I've added **comments ** throughout with hopes that you will supplement these meeting minutes with your own experiences and comments! I know everyone wants to hear your voice!
Bessemer started us off by telling about their "Cut the Cord" programs for adults in January 2020 - meant to help patrons cut the cable and use streaming to get their entertainment. Good opportunity to have one-on-one digital help for patrons, too. Deidre also talked about the ongoing success of their Makerspace which has a 3D printer, video and green screen for taping, etc. and Xbox, Nintendo and PS4 for the teenagers.
Shannon brought up that she is acquainted with a Birmingham City policeman, Micah Blair, that has a podcast called BLERD Over which focuses on people of color in the gaming and comics arena. BLERD=Black Nerd. Might be an interesting program to reach an untapped audience! Look up their podcast on Facebook!
Joan from Avondale has brought some innovative programming there. They had a Game of Thrones party for adults and used eventbrite to promote it. They are also doing monthly pop-up Trivia nights at ROJO, a local restaurant. There is lots of community support for this type of programming. This increases the creativity (using community input) and increases outside funding. Avondale also holds tech appointments to teach patrons about various technologies and services. Leslie has had success with her Podcast club - folks listen to a podcast together and discuss it. Lots are centered around BBC broadcasts.
Here's an idea: give $5 waived fine gift certificates as prizes! Here's a great slideshow on Adult Reading Incentive Programs On a shoestring budget: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.cla-net.org/resource/resmgr/imported/ReadingIncentivePrograms.pdf
Several of the libraries in attendance have started outreach to neighboring nursing/assisted living facilities. From doing programs to providing materials for in-house book groups, these are wonderful ways to serve the community.
Jeff has been researching memory care kits through a vendor called "Reading2Connect" (website: reading2connect.org) From their correspondance with Jeff:
Here are four examples of how librarians are bringing highly readable books to seniors with dementia.
1. Books to Borrow
Having the books accessible for care partners of elderly seniors (eg, spouses, hired companions, sons/daughters) to use in the library or to take out. Care partners love having materials that are ability-appropriate and age-appropriate for the older adults in their care.
2. Reading2Connect Time
Providing an in-library space and designated time for care partners and older adults to gather and casually enjoy the books in a kind of "Memory Cafe" fashion. The books provide appealing, engaging conversational support. Elderly seniors socialize with their peers, while care partners connect with other care partners in a relaxed, social atmosphere.
3. Reading2Connect Circle
Facilitating a Book Club-like activity for seniors with memory challenges. Older adults sit in a circle or at a table, each with a copy of the same book. They take turns reading allowed, commenting, sharing memories, etc, with minimal care partner intervention.
4. Community Outreach to Long-Term Care Sites
Bringing our books to older adults in senior living communities. The library staff works with the facility's activity staff providing reading and social opportunities for residents.
I was told that in the past Hoover had some type of Memory Care Kits but they rarely circulated. These might need some targeted marketing to get them wide circulation. Another source mentioned: https://meternally.com/
For those on a budget, join the Facebook group: Birmingham Artcycle https://www.facebook.com/groups/622393984443231/ It is a trading site for "potential art/craft supplies." People have some weird but sometimes useful materials that are free to be picked up. Anything from glass yogurt containers for crafts to donated material, coffee containers, yarn, etc. Keep an eye out and your next project might be done for free!
We talked about the success of inter-generational programming with volunteer seniors teaching handicrafts while youth and teens teach seniors tech. Something for everyone! Avondale has "Teens with Tech." Charity craft projects are very popular. **If any libraries out there do similar programs, please post or comment!** (Here's a great slideshow on the importance of inter-generational programming: https://www.webjunction.org/content/dam/WebJunction/Documents/webJunction/2018-03/slides-intergenerational-programming.pdf
Hueytown has received $25,000 LSTA grant to update their YA Nonfiction and videogame collection. They are also doing what they can to enhance their services for the growing Hispanic population in the community by building a small Spanish circulating collection and possibly conversation classes to help enhance English proficiency. (Not only does downtown BPL have a Spanish collection but so does Pinson and Hoover, and now Hueytown. **Anyone else?**)
Hoover has a small but growing "Rapid Readers" collection which is intended to serve English language learners with short, easy English novels, short stores, etc. that can be more easily tackled. In Ingram, there is a "high interest category" called Adult High/Low Titles that serve this purpose.
Several libraries are encompassing physical activity on a regular basis. Vestavia Hills has offered yoga in the past but has started Zumba and Tai Chi - even HOT yoga on their patio in the summer!
Avondale offers low-impact yoga once a week. **What else are libraries offering in the way of physical activity classes?**
Here's a fabulous idea: the Trussville Photography Club is planning Holiday Family portraits at the library! The library bought a couple of festive backgrounds and are offering specific times for families to gather for photos that are then emailed to the family! This could be a yearly tradition or held throughout the year. Trussville uses Google Forms to have family reserve their spot.
Lastly, at Hoover, I put together a list/notes on what we do that is " extra" that you might not have thought of before:
- We now offer basic office supplies at our Fiction and Nonfiction patron computer stations including stapler, tape, hole punch, paper clips, even envelopes! (We might as well provide them because we know they are going to ask!!!)
- We revamped our Large Print collection to all books exhibiting a LARGE PRINT call number - in other words, the actual spine label is printed in 18 point font for ease on the eyes.
- We now have about nine staff people as official Notaries. We are still trying to work out a scheduling system, but we are trying to cover all of the times we are officially open so that someone in the building can provide notary services.
- Hoover offers several "parenting" focused programs, such as a book group aimed at parents for Children's books. Katie Jane is also holding, in 2020, outreach in local Hoover businesses for parents and kids called "Katie Jane's Rec Reads".
- We partnered with a local comic book store to hold a monthly RPG event - Role Playing Games such as Dungeons and Dragons are a growing trend. Here's an article on the surprising benefits: https://lifehacker.com/the-surprising-benefits-of-role-playing-games-and-how-1684582789
- We have installed recycling bins in several stations around the library. Patrons seem to appreciate them.
What do YOU do that is BEYOND the expected??
Please keep tabs on the upcoming 2020 ASRT meetings! We'd love to have you join in!
