Adult Programming Mount Laurel Library Joan M Serpico

Adult Programming Mount Laurel Library Joan M Serpico Manager, Special Projects

Why bother? § Good for your Community – Makes the world a better place – Exposes customers to new things – Builds communities within communities – Enriches lives

Why bother? (cont) § Good for the Library – Brings in customers – May increase circulation – Promotes goodwill – Image enhancement

How do you choose? § § § Follow your mission Focus on a particular group Listen to your customers’ suggestions § Notice what your customers like

Following Your Mission The Mount Laurel Library provides a real and virtual center where residents gather as a community for leisure, for learning, for life.

Program examples § Learning – NJCH Speakers Bureau – Lectures – Computer classes – Genealogy classes

Program examples (cont) § Leisure – Concerts – Art exhibits and receptions – Dance Lessons: § Zydeco, ballroom, belly, line, salsa, disco – Craft classes: painting, clay, quilting

Program examples (cont) § Life – Wellness: tai chi, yoga, meditation – Health screenings – Tax help – Job seeking

How do you get people to come? § Word of mouth – Staff – Announce at other programs

How do you get people to come? (cont) § Local press – Develop an email group – Call if your events are not getting in – Give them enough notice

How do you get people to come? (cont) § Newsletter – mail or email it § Website – home page and events calendar § Flyers – in library and distributed

How do you pay for it? § § § Budget Free and cheap programs Organizations looking to give money away – Local businesses (banks, grocery stores, etc) – National chains (Target, Verizon, etc)

How do you manage all the details? § Enlist staff help § Programming checklist

What can you expect? § § § Increased door count Increased circulation Happy customers

How will you know it’s working? § Customers will come back to program after program. § They will tell their friends. § They will bring their friends. § They will plan their lives around your events.

How will you know it is working? (cont) When are you going to offer this again? What else are you offering? When are you going to have him/her/them back again? Can I bring my neighbors/friends/visitors? Is the newsletter out yet?

How will you know it is working? (cont) Thank you for a great program! This is a wonderful library! This is like a one stop culture center!

How can I help? Joan M Serpico Manager, Special Projects Mount Laurel Library jserpico@mtlaurel. lib. nj. us 856 -234 -7319