Outreach: From Storytimes to Library Pop-ups
5/19/22
Attendees:
Pamela, North Birmingham
Shannon, Hoover
Noelle G
Laura, Homewood
Deidre, Bessemer
Olivia, Avondale
Bridget, Homewood
Terri, Vestavia Hills
Cara, Center Point
Weston, Five Pts West
Ellen, Avondale
Jacqueline W.
Erika, Powderly
Cristina C.
Fontaine, BPL Books By Mail
Maura, Trussville
Nicole, Tarrant
Reminders: Bessemer received a grant for a series on Women's Right to Vote. Please check out their website in order to join the remaining books. Let's Talk About It: Women's Suffrage.
Anyone going to ALLA in Montgomery? I will be doing a program on planning and executing a successful nonprofit volunteer fair on Monday, August 1st at 4 pm - come on by!
Several libraries, including Hoover, are gearing up for
Adult Summer Reading. Bessemer has invited Jim Phillips (Trussville has
had him talk too.) If you'd like to know more, he is "old-school" and
only has a home phone (205-919-2925) he's known for doing "Antebellum
Ghost Stories" and the like.
Video of our meeting:
If you haven't the time to view the video, here are the highlights:
- Covid restrictions have made it difficult to make good on some of our promises for outreach. However, content is still being created and shared with senior centers, retirement facilities and the like. Pam Bainter from Hoover creates at least 5 "Books to You" programs a month to share with about 9 facilities - they range from "Fair World: A look at World's Fairs" and "It's All a Game: The History of Board Games." A lot of research and preparation go into these programs and whether they are done in person or sent to activity coordinators for showing - they are very popular.
- During the pandemic, Pam also started up 5 little free libraries within facilities with sheltered residents. These are composed of large print discards and are extremely popular. She is now adding between 10-15 books a month. She also prepared packets for her facilities that had magazine articles, puzzles and other items they might enjoy.
- In addition, Pam leads a wonderfully active book group at our senior center that has been going on for 14 years! These are now back to meeting in public, but Zoom became popular for a time.
- Fontaine is very eager to come to your library and your senior groups to talk about the Books-by-Mail program at BPL. At the very least, make sure your library has the updated forms for patrons in case the need arises to recommend someone for books by mail. This service is amazing and invaluable! Thank you Fontaine!
- Weston also mentioned that they contract with Elizabeth Vandercamp for doing literacy programs with their senior groups. She is doing a tour with the BPL Bookmobile - getting out into the neighborhoods. Her email is summerred63@yahoo.com.
- Maura mentioned that Susan Matlock now holds an outreach/special project coordinator position with Trussville. This is a dedicated person that can plan and execute outreach and special events. Congrats Susan!
- We discussed a variety of outreach "swag" - pens, selfie sticks, chip clips, magnets, can coozies, etc. Trussville has fun with a spin wheel where the patrons spins for a prize on the wheel - fun! Got any more ideas? Share them!!
- If you'd like to just view the slides from Shannon's Outreach presentation, here is the link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFBAJFuudw/E_Jm4_SZSmEL1iWKxZ3pPg/view?utm_content=DAFBAJFuudw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&fbclid=IwAR2DFEJ6l59kOQybljAMKb5WIxwhoWeTLoXlSg_VQQgCi-wtdh-UTXego9A
