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Yep, it's time once again for summer library and reading program workshops to begin. My colleague Sharon Grover and I gathered our thoughts and tips to do a keynote together for colleagues in the Indianhead Federated Library System in northwestern Wisconsin.
Sharon and I were interested in exploring the winds of change blowing around this annual ritual. From the perceived pressure of patron/staff statements of "THIS -is-how-it-is-done" and responses to change of "But-we've-always-done-it-this-way", we looked at alternatives to fear and opportunities to embrace the challenge of change.
Intentionality in our planning to meet the needs of our community is key. So too are asking questions and examining openly why we continue traditions and practices and whether they serve
our needs or true community needs. We looked at the tendency to over-program - and to become so involved in the process of the SLP we create that we suck the joy out of literacy, reading and
being with kids.
We looked at going prizeless and the interesting conundrum of teens who plan their SLPs wanting more prizes. We also explored ways to involve teens in ways other than reading including volunteering and concentrating on relationship building with them.
We shared some stories of libraries creating powerful partnerships and outreach during summer. We looked at ways to engage kids in care and to think beyond reading goals to youth engagement goals when planning our summer library programs.
Finally we talked about how advocacy wraps around all of these issues. Our ability to engage stakeholders from administrators, to coworkers to our community in promoting ongoing change and better service is within the power of each of us. A huge shout-out to ALSC and specifically Jenna Nemec-Loise were given in this portion.
The rest of the workshop was all system members shining brightly as they shared tips in a series of break-out sessions hosted by their peers: handling the rough stuff of summer; strategies to go prizeless; community power; programming for all ages; SLP promotion ideas; theater games to involve teens (wait, that one was presented by a theatrically inclined teen!), the low-down on performers and more. We all learned a ton!
Below are links that we shared:
Here is our
slidedeckAnd finally, if you want to read more from libraries around the country engaged in changing up summer library program paradigms, please stop by the
Summer Reading Revolution Pinterest Board and get inspired!
Thanks to IFLS youth consultant Leah Langby for putting together a learning day for us all!
We made some fun changes and adjustments to summer this year that worked out swell. Here are a few highlights:
- We again went weekly-prizeless for preschool & schoolagers with positive results. We had robust registration and return visits despite no doo-dads. Instead of building a robot, this year kids got a sticker or two to cover a life-size Darth Vader cut-out. They loved the concept of "defeating" the villain by covering him completely. With three more weeks to go, we expect full coverage-defeat!
- We lengthened our program to a full ten weeks. While it has definitely made the summer months feel longer, we are still seeing outstanding return visits and a longer chance to use the library - earn the ultimate book prize.
- We changed our preschool SLP from monthly activity cards to weekly activity cards. This has definitely brought in more families for return visits and the younger kids have loved stickering up Darth Vader (or themselves!) more often.
- One of our gamecard activity choices was for kids to be superheroes by bringing in kid-nummy boxed meals for donation to our neighborhood food pantry. Summer is traditionally a very low donation time for food pantries and they often have to expend precious cash reserves to keep shelves stocked. We were gratified with the number of kids participating (we've delivered over 300 pounds of food "for kids, by kids" so far this summer) and the deliveries have been greatly appreciated.
- While we definitely had plenty of fun active programs, we also used plenty of stealth (passive) programs to engage kids - Craft of the Week for preschoolers, Kid Lab and paper-covered tables with writing/drawing prompts for schoolagers and DIY activities weekly for daycare groups. It helped keep the libraries a "destination" for fun activites to engage kids no matter what time of day they came by.
Finally, rather than a completely
stealth August "continuation" program, we decided to offer a "Backpack Buddies" program. We have six fully-loaded backpacks for different ages. Each time kids check out books in August, they can enter their name in a raffle to be a lucky winner. We are excited to see how this goes!
It will be fun to see the final results of all this change when we shuffle our stats out but all looks great so far!!
Our friend
Abby the Librarian commented on Facebook that even though it wasn't a terribly busy day, summer is so intense that she finds herself worn out. We all have that moment(s?). We are there too!
Summer and summer reading just means more. More of everything. More intensity in that everything. More constancy in the more. More fun. More kids. More ickiness. More questions. More answers. More stress. More crankiness. More splendid moments. More small defeats. More unbridled delight. More success. More chaos. Just more.
Whether we are in the midst of a six week, four week, ten week, twelve week or sixteen week program, the more-ness swirls up around us. At times it takes on the intensity of a blizzard we are trying to walk through (are you with me here, oh Midwest, Northwest friends?). Can we make any headway?
No matter how much we have scaled back our SLP to make it kid and staff friendly, still it is intense. No matter if we KNOW it will be impossible to do anything except SLP during these weeks, it wears us down. Wouldn't it be great to do a little of our other work. Nuh-uh. It's summer!
Is there a cure? Hmmm, getting into another line of work is a possibility. But most of us really don't want to do that.
Is there a cope? Yes, I think there is. It has to do with self-care. We each have a secret way to recharge. A sure knowledge that the end of the intensity is in sight. A welcome adult beverage at the end of the day. That extra piece of chocolate or favored fruit or cracker or cookie or nut treat. An eye on the horizon of the last day and maybe a little time off. A long bath at the end of a tough day. Some TV zoning. A deep immersion in a well-loved book. Some gaming time. Some quality pet/family snuggling time. A small and special day off filled with friends and fun - or even a lunch away. Some time outside.
Self-care is important. Whatever happens, coping and staying even means taking some time to recharge ourselves daily. Remember, each day we make a difference for kids - and for our coworkers. Taking care of ourselves means we can have energy to do this remarkable kid-filled summer reading thing each and every day.
Hang in there, my friends. The end is in sight!
Change is in the air with SLP. More people are getting outside the box and re-examining the worn-out paradigms of how we engage kids in the summer. These posts look at aspects of SLP and ask us to think bigger, deeper and wider - and share experiences along the continuum for change.
Our guest today is Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, a colleague at LPL who joined our team last August. Kelsey is a thoughtful, let's-work-on-this-together visionary who is active on the Friends of the CCBC board and in library work. Before she joined us here she worked in a library in a small community (pop. 5000) in WI. In this post she shares thoughts about the path to change in your SLP based on a workshop she did for librarians in our system.
What comes to your mind when you think about SLP? Yes, it’s fun and exciting, but it’s also a busy time of year, and sometimes stressful – for you, for other library staff, and sometimes even for patrons. While SLP maybe never be a smooth, stress-free zone, we can do a lot to make it easier on ourselves and everyone around us.
Let’s start by considering what we’re really trying to achieve - what YOU are really trying to achieve at your library. Promoting reading during the summer, of course. But what do you aspire to when it comes to your own SLP? Spreading the word about the importance of early literacy, and getting parents with babies to participate? Showing middle-grade readers that books can be funny and interesting? Just getting more people in the door? Being thoughtful about what YOU want to do with YOUR SLP will give you purpose, common staff goals, and direction. The Harwood Institute, currently partnering with ALA on the
Libraries Transforming Communities initiative, has a great
worksheeton thinking about aspirations. Though the worksheet has a broader community focus, it can easily be adjusted to focus on SLP.
Another important step is to simplify. Do we really need so many sheets and rules and procedures when it comes to participation? Do we really need so many prizes and incentives to get kids to read? Or can we come up with ways to keep SLP fun and fresh and literacy-focused without jumping through so many hoops? Last summer, at my previous library, we spent a lot of time thinking about how to make SLP work better for patrons and more sustainable for ourselves. We simplified procedures, reduced unnecessary elements, and cut way back on incentives. The results were that kids continued their enthusiastic participation, parents were happy to have less plastic junk, and staff had a much easier time registering participants, explaining the program, and answering questions. Streamlining made everyone happy. Making things less complicated doesn’t mean we’re taking it easy or letting our patrons down. It means we’re being realistic about what we can accomplish, and being thoughtful about sustainable practices.
Finally, let’s talk about prizes. Lots of libraries use them, and that’s okay. There is no prize-shaming here. But are there better ways for us to use incentives when it comes to SLP? I’ve recently noticed several libraries changing the way they incentivize SLP, with fantastic results. Some are thinking about ways they can incorporate altruism, with the “prize” being a Friends-funded donation to a community organization of the child’s choice. Some are giving away books as an incentive. Some are doing away with prizes altogether, focusing on recognition and activity. This past summer in La Crosse, kids could add a sticker to help cover a paper robot on the wall. Research shows that extrinsic motivation, which is the drive to do something because of an external reward, is far less effective than intrinsic motivation, which drives us to do something because we love it. Prizes tap into extrinsic motivation, and while that’s not bad, I believe we can find more effective ways to get kids engaged in literacy. Ways that remind them reading is a fantastic experience in itself.
How about you? What have you been thinking about summer reading/library program? Join our conversation in the comments, on your blog or as a guest post writer (send guest posts to me lochwouters at gmail dot com). For additional thoughtful posts, stop by the Summer Reading Revolution Pinterest board or read other posts in this series
Shaking Up SLP - Facing Down FearShaking Up SLP - QuestionsShaking Up SLP - Research-inessShaking Up SLP - Workshop Power
Change is in the air with SLP. More people are getting outside the box and re-examining the worn-out paradigms of how we engage kids in the summer. These posts look at aspects of SLP and ask us to think bigger, deeper and wider - and share experiences along the continuum for change.
Sue Abrahamson is a children's librarian at Waupaca Area Library in Wisconsin. She is a smart, compassionate librarian and leader who isn't afraid to tilt at windmills and slay a few sacred cows Here are a few she described slaying last summer: little or no SLP decorating; extending the SLP from 8 weeks to the entire summer; only books for prizes (when the staff solicited community partners for money specifically to buy books, the library received $2375!);set up an experiment-a-day to engage kids in the SLP theme; did away with bulletin boards.
In this post she shares a deeper connection to year round literacy that is the result of - and sets the stage for - outside-the-box schoolage summer reading reading success. By changing how they approach summer reading, Sue and staff have created a richer, deeper connection to the schools - one where the schools know exactly how the library supports the school's work with literacy and reading.
Good Morning Friends! Please fill your coffee cup and spend five minutes reading my story.
Waupaca, WI - January 20, 2015Today is the one day set aside in January that I spend the day (my co-worker, Jan, spent 2 hours, too) at our local elementary school reading to classes as part of their PBIS reward system. Students earn "Rascal Tickets" by working hard, doing great things, and following the "Rascal Way." They can spend their tickets in many ways, but one way is to save them up and redeem 25 tickets for the public librarian to come to read a story to their class. Teachers can sign up for Public Librarian Visits on a Google Spreadsheet that is shared with all school staff and public library personnel.
On this day, Sue read in 7 classrooms; Jan read in 3 classrooms. Sue also scheduled three sessions to meet with school personnel: The gym teacher needed help figuring out how to download ebooks from the library on her new iPad; the Reading Specialist talked about testing and the upcoming school sponsored family reading night that now has the "Every Hero" theme; and the Principal and Vice-Principal met with me to talk about RtI and the relationship they have with the public library and to give me some of their thoughts for our upcoming summit.
The Principal told me that our success first came by his
understanding of what we do at the library and how it helps his students and their families. As a new principal, (and new, too, to elementary school) he heard from bus drivers, teachers and parents about things happening at the public library. He felt he needed to understand what sort of relationship was already forged and why it was so critically important that people would be calling him about it so often.
He also commented that he thinks having a librarian with a background in education was helpful. (I worked at the school before taking the job at the library.) Repeatedly he credited my personality and enthusiasm for working together. He said that it was clear to him that my experience, my passion for helping his students and families learn together outside the school day, my involvement with the Parent Teacher Group, and that I took every opportunity that availed itself to make the school and the public library visually connected demonstrated clearly that we had
a shared vision.
The Vice-Principal spoke from the heart about how their PBIS program works to create
a culture of support for learning, not just at school but everywhere in the community. This includes everything from character development to literacy skills, helping students grow and learn their whole lives long into healthy, successful adults.
I read John Rocco's book,
Blizzard, to all the students today to introduce the "Every Hero Has a Story" theme. It was the perfect story to tell for a variety of grades. It gave us the chance to talk about what makes a person a hero. It gave students the opportunity to think of people they know who act heroically. It told the story of a 10-year-old hero who thought outside-the-box to problem-solve in a crisis situation, who put the needs of other ahead of his own, and who grew up to be an author and father who shared his personal story so others can find the hero in themselves. Hope you can read it soon!
How about you? What have you been thinking about summer reading/library program? Join our conversation in the comments, on your blog or as a guest post writer (send guest posts to me lochwouters at gmail dot com). For additional thoughtful posts, stop by the Summer Reading Revolution Pinterest board or read other posts in this series
Shaking Up SLP - QuestionsShaking Up SLP - Workshop PowerShaking Up SLP - Research-inessShaking Up SLP - Facing Down Fear
.jpg) |
| Participants share aspirations at the workshop |
Change is in the air with SLP. More people are getting outside the box and re-examining the worn-out paradigms of how we engage kids in the summer. These posts look at aspects of SLP and ask us to think bigger, deeper and wider - and share experiences along the continuum for change.
Today's post is from Leah Langby , the Youth Services Coordinator for the Indianhead Library System, a ten county consortium in northwestern Wisconsin. She is also a savvy, supportive and sharp-as-a-tack library advocate and leader who isn't afraid to open the door and gently offer information that leads to change. She is active in many arenas and is currently chair-elect of YSS, our WLA youth section. Check out the system blog she oversees - Keeping Up with Kids - and get it on your feeds!
Every year in the dead of winter, one of the brightest spots is getting together with youth services librarians from around the region for a face-to-face enthusiasm-and-idea-generating extravaganza, known as the Summer Library Program workshop. For years, we’ve had a great time at this workshop, laughing together, getting inspired with ideas for projects and programs and promotions. Having a roomful of youth services librarians is a definite recipe for plenty of energy and collaboration, and talking about the summer programs seems to bring out the best of that.
This year, I wanted to nudge us all along a little bit more, thinking about the Summer Library Program in the context of all of youth services, preventing burnout, and re-thinking some of the things we’ve always done. Prizes or no prizes? How much time to spend on those decorations? How can we simplify? How can we reach out to our community for collaboration, and to reach kids who might not be getting to the library? How can we make our efforts intentional and effective? I wanted to do that, but still maintain the festive, energetic, collaborative and mutually supportive atmosphere that sustains us all through the long winter months.
Some of my colleagues in the state who have been thinking about all of these SLP/youth services issues in a smart way were generous enough to come to my system to talk about some of those big issues. A HUGE shout-out to Shawn Brommer and Sue Abrahamson for gently and humorously helping us feel mighty, consider our aspirations and our strengths, and think about the “sacred cows” we could consider putting out to pasture. After a two-hour session exploring our super-hero powers with Shawn and Sue, we had several break-out sessions.
I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of the amazing librarians in our system who stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park, presenting panels on everything from teen volunteers and programs to collaboration to outreach to stealth programs to the whys and hows of decorations and performers. Two of the breakout sessions were also hosted by a local maker-space denizen, who showed us some playful ways to interact with problem-solving with kids. I tried to provide presenters with clear expectations beforehand (this is a new development for me, and it is pretty revolutionary how well it works!). Almost all of these sessions were about the summer, but also so much more! It was amazing to tap into the skills, know-how, and experience of the people right here in our system.
I’ve had more positive feedback from this one workshop/mini-conference than about any other workshop I’ve ever had in my entire 10-year history of planning and implementing workshops (of all kinds). People were stopping by my office, nearly floating off the floor with excitement about ways they were planning to make their programs last year-round, reach out to their communities, and get more people engaged with the library and reading. Hooray! It might be that there is no going back!
Change is in the air with SLP. More people are getting outside the box and re-examining the worn-out paradigms of how we engage kids in the summer. These posts look at aspects of SLP and ask us to think bigger, deeper and wider - and share experiences along the continuum for change. In Wisconsin, we underwent a
sea-change in our reportable statistics for youth programs over the past few years.
In the past, only summer reading program attendance was recognized and counted. You did a winter reading program? Too bad. Not reportable. You did a fall or spring reading program? So sad.
But after discussions with youth librarians around the state, Youth Services and Special Needs consultant Tessa Michaelson Schmidt and her Department of Public Instruction (DPI) colleagues took a different approach - one based on what is really happening in libraries around the state and what research indicates are ways in which programs in libraries are evolving. Now we can count any reading program - summer or not (referred to as "literacy offerings").
That same discussion with frontline library youth staff and careful thought resulted in some deep thoughts and research into reading programs - summer, spring, winter or fall. Last year, DPI published an amazing document put together by Tessa -
Offering Library Reading Programs: Top Ten Tips for Librarians - that is quietly knocking the socks off librarians in our state. Reading choice?!?! No prizes?!?! Aligning the reading program with the schools' and public library's mission?!?! Oh yeah, baby!
Best of all
the links here point us to research to buttress what we are doing when we start changing how we go about evolving our summer library program. Research and writing on change ease our work in evolving library reading programs by guiding us into tested "this is why this works" and give us needed ammunition to change hearts and minds of our co-workers and management.
This document and the research links can serve us as we shake up our SLP.
How about you? What have you been thinking about summer reading/library program? Join our conversation in the comments, on your blog or as a guest post writer (send guest posts to me lochwouters at gmail dot com). For additional thoughtful posts, stop by the Summer Reading Revolution Pinterest board or read other posts in this series
Shaking Up SLP - QuestionsShaking Up SLP - Workshop PowerShaking Up SLP - School PowerShaking Up SLP - Facing Down Fear
Change is in the air with SLP. More people are getting outside the box and re-examining the worn-out paradigms of how we engage kids in the summer. This series of posts looks at aspects of SLP and ask us to think bigger, deeper and wider - and share experiences along the continuum for change.
Where are we going and how do we get where we want to be? That's a question I ask myself all the time - and most especially, in thinking about summer library programs. Two decades ago, I felt like we were on a treadmill of summer madness - how could we get off and change how we did the program to a model that was fun
and worthwhile for kids and staff?
The people I worked with joined me in asking questions and looking at the answers as well as the hopes we had. It has led to twenty years of reformatting and evolving the way we do SLP and that change has been
part of our planning in every job I've had ever since.
It starts with questions for which no one answer exists. Each library is unique in how the library and community come together. Here's a few questions and some suggestions on what you might do to guide your change process towards making SLP more meaningful at your library.
Begin (or continue) to ask questions:
Are you reaching the age groups you want?
Running registrations for storytimes or events that add to workload?
Constant programming or could you add more breaks?
Are programs generating increased use/circ by kids?
Is your registration or reading record process cumbersome?
Is what you are doing fitting in with library goals or school goals?
Are the kids focusing on reading or prizes?
How competitive do you want your program to be?
Think about what you are doing now and why you are doing it :
* it satisfies kids
*you've always done it this way
* it satisfies you
* it satisfies parents
* it works
* it doesn’t work but staff or administration REALLY like it
Think about your goals and the outcomes you want and how they can be accomplished.
For instance, if you want to:
1) Reach out to as many kids as possible?
In person contact to spread the word on SLP is vital (School promo visits/spring school visits or class visits)
Cooperate with PTOs to spread word
Get info to schools (bookmarks) prior to parent teacher conferences
Involve families (parents, preschoolers & readers in program to spread the word)
Spread the word at other community spots where kids are: child care centers, Boys and Girls's Clubs etc
2) Give the kids a fun experience
Simplify paperwork so focus is on kids who come in, not busywork
Take time for events you and kids enjoy (booktalking; programs); cut down on other unnecessary programs or requirements
Experiment with the theme and delivery – or not - of prizes or rewards
3) Get the kids reading:
Do lots of reader’s advisory special displays
Let kids review books
Do lots of “seat-to-feet” service rather than hugging the desk Create experiences that put kids and books together (books at programs for check-out; stealthy games)
4) Make the program low-stress for kids
De-emphasize or eliminate competitive aspects (most books read, etc)
Let kids read at own pace and in own interest areas
Consider library use and experiential activities within the library as an achievable outcome
Allow a break from school-year type demands
Let kids read at various levels and formats
Recognize the importance of being read to for preschooler & poor readers
5) Make the program low-stress for staff
Keep record keeping simple
Think about whether elements like oral reports; genre reading; prizes are necessary to the successful
accomplishment of encouraging kids to read in the summer
Look for ways to encourage cooperation with the community or schools to support kids & reading (mutual
booklists; beginning of school rewards; programs; Park & Rec)
6) Be creative, inventive and have fun
Recognize that libraries are more than books
Embrace the many formats (inc. digital) and ways that kids come to literacy - it isn't just about reading
Picture yourself as a promoter and less as a record keeper
Imagine yourself as marketing guru and your product as reading
Give yourself permission to innovate
Finally, learn when to say when!
It’s important to recognize when elements of your program are no longer effective and to begin planning to change
Evaluate your program:
Establish parent/child focus group to talk about summer
Talk to school colleagues for scuttlebutt on SLP
Don’t be afraidto end elements that no longer work or seek innovative solutions
How about you? What have you been thinking about summer reading/library program? Join our conversation in the comments, on your blog or as a guest post writer (send guest posts to me lochwouters at gmail dot com). For additional thoughtful posts, stop by the Summer Reading Revolution Pinterest board or read other posts in this series
Shaking Up SLP - Workshop PowerShaking Up SLP - School PowerShaking Up SLP - Research-inessShaking Up SLP - Facing Down Fear
Yes, we've been as anxious as you to find out what effect our decision to stop giving out weekly prizes for summer would be. Today we shook out the preliminary stats and....
wait for it......
wait for it....
wait for it....
wait for it....
wait for it....
...no difference!!!!!!!!!!!
We had as many preschool and school-agers coming back for return visits this year when we built our robot as we did when we gave out weekly doo-dads.
Score!!!!
The team felt that with the simplified program we had more time for interactions with the kids and a less stressful summer. We already have plans in mind for next year to help increase interest in the donation part of the program (three caped superheroes representing three different charities for kids to choose to put their sticker on).
It's good to see these results and put the final cap on a busy summer and great to know our adventure was successful. Onward!
You can read about our journey
here,
here and
here!
SLP takes it out of a children's librarian. It does.
And guess what, it's OK, you can admit it. You can embrace it. No shame there.
Because here's the thing. There's that beautiful thing called summer. You know warm nights and fireflies and picnics and swims and a cool drink by the river or lake and days that go on and on. That's my face pressing up against the window looking at all that each and every summer.
Because in our world of children's librarianship, there's all these kids, and more, more, more kids and families and programs, and kids and parents and kids and storytimes and eager readers, and shortstaffing and readers checking in and winds of budget woes and kids and programs and reading ...and, oh no!, deadlines for fall programs and PR and kids and readers and booktalking and kids and SLP check-ins and robot building and kids and kids and families...and you know, everything.
No matter how streamlined or cool or fun we make the SLP, it's...um, BIG.
But it's fine because in the midst of a crazy time, we know what we do makes a difference with kids and families. The encouragement, warm words, right book and time to spend a few minutes extra with whomever comes in makes the library a welcoming place for the kids and a great way to spend our summers.
The SLP is done here except for a favorite part - kids selecting their well-deserved books in the Rooma-rama of Books (aka our program room). There is time to re-connect with the team, start working on our fall initiatives and services and take some time off.
And that's what I'm doing. Heading off with five other women for our annual wilderness canoe trip where we challenge ourselves through all day paddles and challenging portages carrying our canoes and 50# packs as we tramp and canoe from lake to lake. I'll finally get the treasured glimpse of summer I've been waiting for.
Time to get off the grid, relax and recharge. 'Cause, you know, that SLP takes alot out of us.
We are within ten days of the end of our SLP. We'll figure out final numbers and the upshot in August.
For now, we can say that we have stayed busy and lots of return-adventurers have come back to help us build our robot with their stickers. The excitement of the gamecard design and stickers seems great for the kids and we have YET to hear kids or parents bemoan no weekly doo-dads. While we also included a charity component (our Friends will donate money to the Human Society, Eco Park and Children's Museum based on the kids reading), this has not seemed as motivational as the very visual robot slowly building.
We dreamed the robot like this in this first mini-model. Staff had a little trepidation on how it would all work. We used quarter sheets of paper that kids could sticker as they went along. This is how our robot has been growing:
 |
| Early June |
 |
| Early July |
 |
| Late July |
Kids have loved watching the robot get bigger and bigger. Staff has loved NOT dealing with weekly doo-dads. Has the fact that we aren't offering weekly prizes but only the book at the end affected overall return visits to the library? We may be surprised (unpleasantly or pleasantly). Stay tuned for final results next month when we shake out the numbers from our database!
To read about our journey, please stop
here,
here and
here!
 |
Our robot is coming together -yellow is body,
red is arms; blue-legs; orange-neck, feet, hands. |
We are just completing our third week (of nine) in the SLP. As I mentioned in our
original post on going prizeless for the school age kids, we've been thinking about this for awhile. This year we took the leap.
So how is it going? We have had over 300 return visits to check in and get new game cards. Rather than weekly doo-dads, each time they return, kids get a sticker or two to help us build our robot - and money is donated to kid-friendly community organizations for the stickers as well.
We haven't heard a peep about "Where are the prizes?" or "Don't we get something besides a sticker?"
We had a hunch that this would be the case. We use stickers for
1000 Books and
Baby Book Bees at each level. We also have stickers during each year's
Smart Cookie Club that we offer to kids. And our
Lego Check-out Club let's kids add lego bricks to a collaborative lego sculpture. So a significant number of kids expect and enjoy the concept of "building" or "making" something bigger with their contributions.
Kids are very excited about completing four game cards to receive a book. That is a goal that really motivates. And Sara's adaptions for the game cards (based on our transliteracy design from previous years) have made the program for school age kids fun and worthwhile. Reading and literacy activities have morphed from extrinsic to intrinsic rewards.
Sometimes our fear of what "might" happen keeps us from embracing change that moves us ahead. We'll keep you posted at the blog on how we do as we go further into the summer.
So far, so good!
 |
This robot needs a body! The more kids read, the more stickers
they add to the blocks that will become arms, legs, body.
We hope kids build her big! |
We have often plunged into summer reading immediately on the last day of school. The result: screaming mania!!!!!!!! Half the the kids of our eventual total come in the first five days and the staff feel like they've been hammered (they have!). We start those summers drained.
This year we made sure to "soft" launch our program while most of kids are still in school. Parochial and homeschool kids come in first and then, afterschool and in the evenings, some of the public school kids make their way to the library. It will be a full nine days before the big public school crowds are on vacation and come pouring into register.
What does this mean?
- We have a "practice" week with a steady stream of SLP registrants - never overwhelming, but enough to hone our spiel and figure out the best, most economical and fun way to explain the mechanics of SLP.
- We sign up about a quarter of our total number of kids so subsequent weeks have far less registration stress.
- Staff is excited and energetic going into the following weeks when the pressure of wall-to-wall kids, programming mightiness and kids-in-care visits need all our attention.
It always feel a little like we're whispering into the start of SLP when we do this. Starting softly means more energy later.
We wish all our colleagues a happy summer library program and hope you have a calm but busy adventure!
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| Robot sample |
Oh.my.gosh. We're doing it!!!! We are not giving weekly prizes during summer reading program this year! Woooo-hooooo!
For those of you following the blog, you may remember that I
stood on the precipice two years ago considering prizes or no prizes for our school age SLP component. My colleague Sara (who, while she blogs over at
Bryce Don't Play, is also just a room away from me IRL) was encouraging last year, but I didn't have the time or the will to get the team together to solve the problems/design a weekly-prizeless summer.
But this year we were ready when planning time came around. We decided to do a three-pronged change-over.
First we morphed our bookmarks into game cards. As always, our summer program is not just about reading but about kids writing, using the library and engaging with the world around them.
The new card is below at the end of the postEach time the kids finish a card - any five squares, they get a sticker to put on our robot. All squares filled in = 2 stickers.
And those stickers help us keep track! Kids will be participating to raise money for a local charity/child-friendly organization. We have three locations so the Humane Society, Children's Museum and local Eco-Park will receive the money raised. We think kids will love the thought of their reading helping out a worthy cause.
Next, each time kids return with their game card filled in, they will get a sticker that they will add to build our giant robot. We are using the CSLP Fizz Boom Read theme and clearly, we MUST build a robot.
The robot's head will be high out of reach and kids will fill in blocks with their stickers to gradually build the robot.
This picture above is a pathetic attempt to illustrate the concept of how the robot will grow through the use of my mini-robot. There will be a foot piece, an arm piece and a torso piece at the beginning. As each piece fills with stickers, we will add more pieces to build the robot. We hope to motivate the kids to rock out their reading and activities to build the robot BIG!
Like every year, kids who return to the library with at least four completed game cards receive a free a book to keep. We are always thrilled to offer kids a book.
And we staffers will be reading hard too! Plans are afoot to track our reading so kids can see how their librarians are doing.
We are truly excited to take this no-prize step and look forward to navigating the reactions from the kids and parents....stay tuned!
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Slick new card designed by the team!
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You know what I'm talking about, right?
Those last one-to-two weeks of your summer reading program. Will it EVAH end?
The StaffersGetting to burn-out stage. Double desk shifts. Covering for ALA attendance or vacations or sick time. Needing to work on upcoming fall initiatives but idea energy is low. So busy that sharing information on upcoming plans and changes slips through the cracks ("You did what?!?!). Second guessing programs that had low attendance. Irritation levels with patrons and co-workers creeping up.
The RoomDecorations starting to get tattered. Daily maximum capacity for hours at a time beginning to wear thin. People complaining about not enough computers, not enough seating and when is it quiet? The boat has now reached active staff-stink-eye-hate.
The KidsAre very bored. Daycare groups can barely control behaviors and after hours each day working for minimum wage have developed the "thousand yard stare". Fewer kids maintain their involvement in SLP. Ennui has settled in.
The AdultsHave.Had.It. When is this thing called school starting? Easily irritated and sometimes actively testy with staffers. Giving a little love but not as much as usual.
What's to do?Take a deep breath, find that calm center and bring back a little sparkle and magic within yourself to the surface. Actively approach your co-workers and patrons with a bit more kindness, a bit more patience and a healthy dose of humor.
Then start the count-down and know that the end is in sight. Treat yourself and your co-workers to a treat, an extra pat on the back, a favorite restaurant, cafe or tavern reward.
And keep telling yourself all things must pass and this edition of the summer library program will too.
What do you do to make it through the last weeks and find or keep your mojo?
We are there at that place right now, right here - our summer reading program, the greatest of youth library passive programs, starts Monday.
The school promo visits are done.
The PR is up and out.
The materials are stacked and ready.
The displays up and stocked with good reads.
The events lined up and ready to go.
The dirt is in the square foot garden ready for planting
The
"Awesome Box" covered and ready for book recommendations
The
Mystery Reads bagged and stocked.
The database cleared and ready for the kids' data.
The teen volunteers trained and scheduled.
The strategy for lightening orientation for groups who use the library agreed upon.
The team feels ready. Alert, primed for action and excited to get the show on the road. It will be chaotic, exciting, exhausting, exhilarating, frustrating, noisy and celebratory. Every day will bring in mobs, groups, waves and rock and rolls of kids and families.
On ALA Think Tank, one comment likened this pre-summer readiness to waiting for a battle to begin. I can't disagree. Now we wait to see if they will come!
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| Materials ready for one of our small branch libraries |
The time is nearly here. The supplies are laid in, the publicity out, the school promo visits just about complete, the database ready, contacts made with groups who come with kids-in-care to get them oriented and staff keen-eyed (or steely-eyed as the case may be). But as prepared as we are, I still like to see what's out there that you all are doing.
As I was reading my feeds (here we pause for
the image and book that inevitably pops into my head when I think about my RSS feeds), I came across a colleague's description of her
summer reading programs. While it was pretty darn nice to see that she had adapted two of the formats we have been using over the years there was a better bonus for me: she shared two other designs for programs (daycares and super readers) that were new to me and that I like quite a bit.
I really appreciate hearing and reading about what other librarians are doing to make summer fun for kids - and staff! Besides reading blog posts, I am lucky enough to travel widely when wearing my hat as an itinerate workshop presenter around my state and region*. And while I share ideas we have tried, I also pick up ideas others have used to make their summer reading or library programs better and more effective.
And how do we get at effectiveness - especially during summer when our days are filled with families, kids, daycares, slp and programs, programs, programs?
I look for posts or listen to people who tell me about how:
- a decision has resulted in more participation by the kids
- registration has been simplified or tossed out and the result
- how prizes have been considered and the results of any change
- strategies that have providing staffing relief really worked
- active programming has been de-emphasized in favor of a true stealth program: SLP
- they include transliteracy into their SLP format
- they innovate in any way and what happens
- new audiences have been reached
- value has been added to a program through a simple innovation
You, my friends, are my guides to change and making SLP more fun and less onerous. These 8-12 weeks should not over-run our thoughts, energies, and ability to create powerful children's and teen services magic year-round. When we share our stuff, we make it easier to keep summer in perspective and bring great joy to the process.
Here's hoping you summer is joy-filled, kid-filled and a time to rise above the chaos to see just what good work you are doing for your communities. Now let's dig in!
*In the spirit of May's 30 Days of Awesome posts started by Sophie Brookover, Kelly Jensen and Liz Burns, I share that I present half and full day workshops and presentations for systems and at conferences that include Rethinking Summer Reading; Programming Mojo; The Big Link: Successful School Public Library Partnerships; Stealth Programming; Everyday Advocacy; Creating Amazing Youth Services; Undoing Dewey and anything else that helps me guide participants in the Marge-way of delving deep into why we do what we do and how to do it better.
Summer Reading Program. It's almost time to stick a fork in.
After nine weeks of "official" fun and a couple of days into our final two weeks of book reward pick-up, I am ready to say we have had a great summer. Yesterday we had a wrap-up meeting with staffers and we couldn't think of much that went wrong; that we had to improve or that our families didn't like. In fact, we had greater participation; better continuing returns; and more expressed enthusiasm by the kids and families.
Beyond that, the program set-up allowed staff to take vacation and conference time off throughout the eleven week duration. We had plenty of time to do reference and reader's advisory with the kids. The programs were fun and well-attended. For the first time EVER, we didn't book any performers. We saved a ton of money and the only sadness we heard was from a few day care providers (Hmmm, we must have been providing their entertainment in the past).
This year, for the first time, the teens joined the babies, tots and elementary-age kids in our book prize extravaganza. For two weeks in August, we invite all the kids who earned books as a prize to come in, browse and make their selection. We have the books on tables in program room roughly by age - but nothing is labeled. Kids have loved it. They can pick a book that appeals to them - we have advanced readers copies for them to "test"; inexpensive books we picked up at Book Fair sales and pristine condition used books. Kids often come out and reserve titles they didn't pick but want to read.
I look at
Abby(the) Librarian's wrap-up; the
enthusiastic report of a new librarian in WI being "present" for the kids;
The Show-Me Librarian's reflections and
our own early happiness with the way SLP was shaping up. It tells me we are all going in a great direction - one that embraces summer and the kids without fear and without burn-out. And isn't that what it's really all about?
Image: 'Catfish, Shrimp and Fries' http://www.flickr.com/photos/33286810@N00/396888366
So it's arrived. We are three weeks into our summer reading program and things are going swell. It's busy but stress levels are pretty low and we have the time and luxury to spend time connecting kids with books. Wow. What did we do right?
For some amazing reason, we made the decision not to wait for all schools to be out for vacation but to jump in and begin on a the first Monday in June with a "soft" launch. That really helped to spread out the registration process (explaining the program is always a little more effort than is needed on the return visits). We aready had a couple of hundred kids signed up, so when the public school kids joined the sign-up throngs, it wasn't as intense.
Next we didn't offer any programs until the second week of SLP. So all our efforts went into getting kids set up for the SLP in that first week. We typically sign up about half of the total kids in that week so that is no small thing. The program we offerend in the second week was a DIY decorating program that had kids create space decorations that we used everywhere. It was mellow prep, one staffer responsible and left most of the staff free to serve the kids.
Next good idea - we didn't start our storytimes until the third week. By the end of the second week we have the majority of kids who will be involved signed up. So now we just had the preschool crowd for late sign-ups and they have more of the room to themselves during our nine storytime sessions.
Combine all this with our
simplified elementary age SLP and we have a recipe for a much lower stress summer. And it needs to be, since I am heading to ALA and abandoning my teammates! But I tell you I feel way less guilty since we made summer reading easier for staff, families and the kids!
Yep, some of us are already in the throes of SLP; some just on the verge. Here at my library we're verge-ins yet. The materials are ready, the surprises are counted out, the database is empty and awaits our first registrants, our team is wrapping up school SLP promotion visits and our mystery bags are ready for their mystery books. Bulletin boards and book displays are just about ready too.
We are putting up few decorations (although with the
Deke Slayton Space Museum nearby and endless kids' collections of Star Wars, we feel like cheaters). We are holding off doing most decorating because we built in DIY decoration/craft days right away to encourage kids to create space-y fun. Their art will rule the room!
Non-public schools have had their last day and families are flocking into the library already. Public school kids are stopping in after school, excited about what they heard from the children's librarians visiting their schools. Check-out is already creeping out of the May doldrums and our reader's advisory and reference is skyrocketing as well.
What tips will I keep in mind for the next eight weeks when it gets crazy busy?
- Have fun.
- Make sure the kids have fun
- Put aside all other work and concentrate on all the kids in front of us.
- Don't stress over the boat
- Do what we do best - connect kids to books and reading
- Again, have fun!
After all, it, a mere 8-9 weeks out of 52 weeks.
Ok, I'm ready, are you?
Image: 'Take off of Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-117)' http://www.flickr.com/photos/8228351@N07/536653708.
I just came back from presenting my fifth - and last - Summer Library Program workshop in Wisconsin focusing on the
Dream Big/Own the Night theme. I probably shouldn't really say I focused on the actual SLP theme. I really only alluded to it.
At the workshops, I spend most of the time exploring and asking participants to explore how and why we do summer reading incentive programs and how easy it is to grow and evolve a program to meet constantly changing community needs. I never claim to know the best way to do SLP. I am just fascinated with the process of why we do the things we do and how we move forward to truly meet the needs of our families and children.
One of the things that I think we all tend to get bogged down in is the huge inevitablity and implacability of SLPs. Many of us over-prep for a short two month period, spending so much creative energy on that part of the year that the remaining ten months get a shorter creative shrift. I'm there to encourage workshop attendees to focus on fun and consider giving SLP an importance commensurate with its short duration. And I'm there to hear how librarians have saved time and effort (less stats; no prizes; one prize; book bucks).
I also love to hear about what successful events or initiatives that people have been using in their communities. For those of you following the blog, I have been periodically posting little tidbits of the ideas shared (
here,
here and
here). I have picked up a ton of great ideas from librarians from libraries large and small.
It always makes me happy. Most of us don't create independently of each other. We find ideas from blogs, conferences, workshops, Pinterest, from hallway chats, books, Twitter and Facebook. The more we rely on each other for ideas and share the ideas and successes we have, the more we and all our colleagues benefit. I am looking forward to heading out to Kansas at the end of the month and hearing more ideas from my colleagues when I present my SLP workshops there. And I'm glad I'm in a sharing profession!
Image: '3D Full Spectrum Unity Holding Hands Concept' http://www.flickr.com/photos/22177648@N06/2137735924
YES YES YES. I'm kicking myself this morning for leaving two major programs (Dr. Seuss Day and our live animal program) until the last week of SRC. Today and tomorrow are gonna be busy!
We actually run a staff summer reading program and monthly contests (for staff) as a "reward" for the extra business. Last week we did a Float off where we filled the fridge with ingredients for root beer floats and Boston Coolers and asked staff to vote for their fave.
I try not to have any major programs past the end of July and end all programs on the 2nd Saturday in August when summer reading ends (sort of - people can still come get prizes, but they don't get any more bookmarks/logs/etc.). I cut way back on the programs I left in August this year, so we just have a couple storytimes, Girls Night Out, and an end of summer reading party. The party used to be a huge extravaganza, but last year I was about to collapse (did I mention I was running a Scholastic Book Fair at the same time?) so now I just do a little casual thing and if only 25 people show up I'M GOOD. And I moved the book fair to May (where it was a dismal flop, but oh well)
Lots of children's librarian happy hours. Lots of stolen moments hiding in the workroom for a quick break from hearing "Ms. Sarah" every 30 seconds. Time with friends not at all connected to library work.
But the best is still meeting a new kid who's never been to the library and catching their enthusiasm and wonder, or seeing an afterschool regular who I haven't seen in a few months (they get so TALL) who just comes in to see if I remember them (I do).
Thanks, Marge, for your post. It's tiring to be in a public service profession, and this season is especially trying! Chin up, champs!
Oooh, delish. What a great idea!
Yes, exactly. We put 4 powerhouse programs this second-to-last week. Gack!
Good strategies. We have to take advantage of these!!
Thanks for the motivation. One of my team came in yesterday and said we need to make up a cheer to pull ourselves up - hence this post! We all nee pats on the back! Today everyone got 10 Hershey kisses for the 10 days left. They are magic pills you know!
I can't thank you enough for this post. To know that other children's librarians share this fatigue and burn-out is such a relief! (I thought I was being a baddy!) Thank you.
Happy summer!
Melisa
"Miss Lisa"
NC
It's so easy to feel like there must be something wrong with us when we hit this wall. We know it's a great thing but the unrelenting pace when others in our workplace and community are celebrating vacations and adventures and summer fun definitely take a toll. We are together in this and glad I talked about something that is pretty widespread helps me too!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh thank you! This post certainly resonated with me. If I had a staff, it would be great to pat or be patted on the back. I am pretty much alone on this road (thank goodness for my pt asst.)and I am counting the minutes until next week is over. After all these years, it is still just putting one foot in front of the other to get to the end. Extra sleep is a good thing to attempt to include in a schedule.
I'm sure feeling it too. I just started my job a few months ago so this has been my first Summer Reading Program -- at the beginning I found myself saying "why is our program only 6 weeks long and we end the first week of August?" and now I'm totally saying "wow I'm so glad this is our last week..." Deep breath, the end is in sight!!
Spot. On. I was just telling my coworkers today that I have just had it with summer. Even the good kids are "too much" right now. I'm taking my first real vacation-- not just a long weekend-- in three years at the end of August and I am soooo excited. I like the idea of the countdown kisses for staff. I may be making a grocery run yet tonight!
Not only was it wrap up summer reading program time, it was also budget season for me! UGH! There is nothing left here! :-)