OH!Libraries: Spotlight on Ohio library services

“The Day Bigfoot Came to Town”
Presented by Bill Marino, martinbi@oplin.org

Bill presented all sorts of library programming ideas for UNDER $100.00 and then opened up the floor for others to throw in their successful program ideas. WOW! This session could have gone on for another hour.

I am hoping Bill and the participants don’t mind, but here are some of their ideas:

For a Bigfoot program, call Don Keating at 740-498-4542. Everyone present said that they had a GREAT turnout when he was at their libraries.

-- The paranormal…UFO’s, ghosts, psychics, conspiracy theorists, etc. are always successful.

-- Daddy/daughter tea or mother/son scavenger hunt

-- Video game tournaments (BTW, Best Buy has 17” TV’s at a VERY reasonable price these days.)

-- Horticulture programs…invite the local nursery.

-- “What do Artists Do?” Invite poets, painters, musicians, etc. to do their thing in various parts of your library. Patrons can ask questions of the artists.

-- Tie your visit from the police and fire departments into a unique theme. How about “The Chicago Fire” as an attention-grabber, complete with the details of the event. Tie that in with fire safety, use of fire extinguishers, tour of the fire truck, etc.? Or how about “Crime Scene Investigations” with local tales of unsolved crimes and a follow-up with current safety concerns and issues?

-- Autograph sessions with local sports teams

-- Behind the scenes tours through the library for everyone

-- Live remotes from local radio or TV stations

-- Chili cook offs

-- Ask a local chef to demo secrets of the trade

-- Get speakers from local historical groups, the university, nursing homes, hospitals, etc.

-- Someone from your local bus service could explain the local bus routes.

-- Food for Fines

-- Princess Teas (even Dad gets a jeweled crown)

-- Wine tasting – While we all LOVED this idea, we didn’t know all of the legalities. Also, if policy states that we don’t allow alcohol in our meeting room…

-- Cake walks (not sure exactly what this is, but several people say they have done them)

-- Family photos (use hay bales in the fall, for example)

-- Edible Alien Autopsy
BookCloseouts.com has a whole book of recipes: http://www.bookcloseouts.com/default.asp?R=0439409675B
Dayton and Cincinnati libraries have also done this. Perhaps they could give some pointers?

-- Small Christmas tree decorating contest – Patrons check out trees that were purchased from a dollar store and decorate them. Have a local art teacher or your Friends group judge. At the end, all trees can be donated to a local hospital, children’s home or nursing home.

-- Cemetery walk – point out famous people or interesting headstones

-- Snowball fight with Styrofoam balls – get the library staff out there, too!

-- Have a knitting class then donate hats, scarves, or whatever the class project was to those in need.

Additional ideas from the closing session wrap-up:
-- Do a “secret shopper” to evaluate services
-- ALA always has PR available for the latest Teen Read Week, Right to Read week, etc.
-- Ask the post office for the undeliverable magazines. Take them to your homebound patrons.
-- AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers are good for misc. projects

Care to add some of your ideas?

# posted by Anonymous @ 2:40 PM