must be 21+: adult after hours and alcohol programming at the library

A

Must Be 21+:After-Hours Programming for Adults

(and sometimes with Alcohol!)@ the Library?!?

Must Be 21+After-Hours Programming for Adults

(and sometimes with Alcohol!)@ the Library?!?

Presenters:Jessica Enget & Lawrence Kapture

Portage District Library

WHY you are here

WHY you are here

1.How on earth do you serve alcohol at a library?

WHY you are here

(it’s not just about the alcohol)1.How on earth do you serve alcohol at

a library?

2.Need new adult programming ideas

WHY you are here

(it’s not just about the alcohol)1.How on earth do you serve alcohol at

a library?

2.Need new adult programming ideas

3. What do those 20’s-30’s people want?

WHY you are here

(it’s not just about the alcohol)1.How on earth do you serve alcohol at

a library?

2.Need new adult programming ideas

3. What do those 20’s-30’s people want?

4. Why should the Youth department hoard all the fun?

WHO you want in your library

Young Professionals

Individual Adults with or without family

In College/Finished College

Social Individuals

WHAT to do about it

WHAT to do about it

Just Add Alcohol!

WHAT to do about it

Just Add Alcohol!

WHAT to do about it

ASK THEM!

WHAT to do about it

Young Professionals Consider their work schedules: plan for later evenings; weekends.

Individual Adults with or without family Key in to personal interests; drop “family friendly”

In College/Finished College Low pressure, casual feel; learn hands-on a skill or make something tangible.

Social IndividualsCreate opportunities to mingle and interact; provide interesting talking points, build confidence and “cool factor.”

WHAT – Program Ideas

DURING HOURS

Top Shelf Reads Book Discussion Group (ongoing)

Must Be 21+ Game Nights

Brewery Tour & Tasting

Bad Poetry Night

AFTER HOURS Mocktail Mixer

Oktoberfest

Coffee Culture

Broken Hearts Club

Must Be 21+ Game Nights

Gatsby Mixer

Ways of Wine

WHERE to have the programAT THE LIBRARY People are familiar

with surroundings Easier to promote

collections/make displays

More control over surroundings/layout

Back up staff available

OFFSITE Go where your people are Attendees can get their

own dinner; take advantage of existing liquor license

Exposure for library in public

Ad Exchange Remote check out? Be prepared: pack ahead

of time

HOW to brand & market(Those 20’s-30’s are very visual creatures.)

HOW to brand & market

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) Online Events Calendar Portager (local mailing) In-library flyers, postcards In-library Poster Word of Mouth Flyer distribution in community Friends in other media channels

(WRKR)

But SRSLY: What about the Alcohol?Alcohol is a HOOK, not the pointEducation/Information still reigns as the main idea

‘Talking About’ VS. DrinkingAlcohol doesn’t always have to be presentBroader audience appeal; less pressure

But SRSLY: What about the Alcohol?

Alcohol +

InformationAppreciatio

n

NOT DRUNKENNESS!!!

Mocktail Mixer (Virgin Program)

Mocktail Mixer (Virgin Program)FEATURES Alcohol related Angie Jackson, Elixir

Fixer How-To Make, How-To

Spike Audience Participation Tasting History of the cocktail Purposes of various

cocktails

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 23 Expense: about $190.00 Cost/Person: $8.26

NOTES After Hours Pilot Had people banging

on the door to get in Observed broad

demographic and high interest

Oktoberfest Taste & Pair

Oktoberfest Taste & Pair

FEATURES Alcohol! (Beer) Meat & Cheese

Pairing Tasting Handout Collaborations

with: Gonzo’s Brewery Latitude 42 Brewing Arcadia BrewingCheese LadyYouz Guys Sausage

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 47 Expense: $555.57 Cost/Person:

$11.82

NOTES First alcohol

program Time Intensive After Hours

Coffee Culture

Coffee Culture

FEATURES Collaboration with

Water Street Coffee Joint (just opened new location near us!)

How to enjoy good coffee at home

Tasting with guide (3 samples)

Full bags of coffee as a give away!

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 9 Expense: $150.00 Cost/Person: $16.67

NOTES Generous Donations

and giveaways from Water Street

Broken Hearts Club

Broken Hearts Club

FEATURES Anti-Valentines Day

program “Cathartic Craft”

VooDoo Doll Pincushion

Movie: “The Interview”

“Blind Date with a Book” take away

Pizza and sweet hand-made candy treats

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 5/10

registrations (weather?) Expense: $77.19 Cost/Person: $7.72-

15.44

NOTES Time intensive

preparation High enthusiasm, low

numbers Opportunity to ASK

Bad Poetry Night

Bad Poetry Night

FEATURES Open mic for self-

written poems Poetry books

available to read from (to read badly)

Mustaches Suckers & Prizes Hilarious

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 10

Expense: $75.00 Cost/Person: $7.50

NOTES Annual potential as

close to poetry month

During hours

Gatsby Mixer

Gatsby Mixer

Gatsby Mixer

FEATURES Alcohol! (Liquor; Prohibition-

Era style cocktails) Angie Jackson, the Elixir

Fixer History of Prohibition Local history

perspective Collaborations with

Kalamazoo Valley Museum Kalamazoo Civic Theatre

Collections Display

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 61 Total Expense: $560.78 Door Fee: -$300.00 Cost / Person: $4.28

NOTES People dressed to

impressed! Bathtub worth it! Reminder calls & pass

phrase set the tone

Ways of Wine Taste & Pair

Ways of Wine Taste & Pair

FEATURES Alcohol! (Wine) Community

Collaborations: Lawton Ridge WineryTempo Vino WineryLocal Hardings Market

Tasting handout Collections display

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 42

(anticipated up to 60) Expense: $418.86 Door Fee: -$210.00 Cost/Person: $4.97

NOTES Learned from

Oktoberfest about spending and sample portions

Paid for what we opened

Must Be 21+ Game Nights (series)

Must Be 21+ Game Nights (series)

FEATURES Absence of alcohol Food (Pizza, soda) Wide variety of

game types (board, classic, table top, card, tile)

Legos! Regularly offered,

4th Mondays

BREAKDOWN Headcount: 10-12 Expense: $115 one-

time for games; $50 per event

Cost/Person: $4.17-$5.00

NOTES High enthusiasm, low

counts Working on marketing Tweaking time

Yes, Yes, that’s all very well…

…But how do I get the alcohol?

How to get the Alcohol

TEAM EFFORT: You need people. Get your Ducks in a row.Build your proposal: what’s the take away? Sample sizes? How will serving be controlled? How will premises be monitored?

Get your Boss on board, get your Board on board.Match your library’s goals

Get your Community on board.Local police department; nearest church and/or school; insurance provider. Coworkers & Volunteers, too!

How do I get the Alcohol

Consult with Mixologist, Bartender, Brewer or other Professional Booze Person

Pairing ideas Ingredient list; quantities Budget options How to serve

Conduct Epic Beer Run (or other liquor equivalent)

Check registration 2-3 days in advance

How do I get the Alcohol

Fill out the Paperwork Complete Application for Special License Supplement documentation needed Collect signatures Can be submitted as early as 120 days out Be in possession of license 10(?) days in advance Takes about 2-3 weeks turnaround time once

submitted

Cost (our cost is $100 per license) $25-50 for application (based on municipality) $50 for additional insurance bond (based on provider)

For the Program

Staffing Bouncer needed for alcohol programs –

check ID Host will keep program moving;

schmooze Servers – pouring, distributing; best to

bring libations to guests. (Book carts are GREAT)

“Guards” – all entries/exits have a point person

Foodage Have ready at the table Individual plates vs For the Table plates

For the Program

Sample Sizing Cheat SheetYou don’t need much

Libation LimitsTotal oz. of samples = 1 regular size beverage 3 cocktail samples (2 oz ea.) = 1 regular size cocktail (6 oz) 4 wine samples (1 oz ea.) = 1 glass of wine (5 oz) 5 beer samples (2 oz ea.) = just under 1 bottle (12 oz)

Cheese/Meat ¼ to ½ oz sample per person

After the Program

Determine a plan for excess alcohol

Return unopened/unused to vendor Pour out opened/partial use Lock & Key

General Notes Very broad age demographic, pretty balanced in gender

Non-Alcohol programs: Enthusiasm is higher than attendance counts

Time Intensity varies; adding alcohol adds intensity

Staffing can be a challenge (juggling schedules, accommodating for after hours)

$5 at the door is a great budget off-set and people are ok with paying cover

Feedback has been VERY positive (often “more alcohol!”)

Moving ForwardPotential Program Ideas

Throw ideas at wall Collaborate with Teen department “Ready Player One” 1980’s theme (“Rock the Cash Bar”?) “Drink like an Author: what famous writers drank to write”

Does it REALLY need to be After Hours? “Ooooh, Taboo!” does still sell and breed interest How much staff does it really need? Ongoing Series vs. Special Event

Alcohol (cash bar) as a side feature to other adult programs???

In Summary…

No one has died from having

alcohol in the library!

In Summary…

GOOD NEWS!We have not had any explosions!

BAD NEWS: At this time, we have no advice or real-world situational experience to bestow upon you in

case something does go wrong.

GOOD NEWS!!!Chances are, nothing will go wrong for you,

either!

Resources Board Game Sommelier

www.pick-a-game.com

Application for Special Licensehttps://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/Special_License_Application_Package_10-11_366767_7.pdf

Angie Jackson, The Traveling Elixer Fixerhttps://www.facebook.com/TravelingElixirFixer

Other LibrariesKent District Library; Oak Park Public Library

A

Questions? Comments?

Jessica Enget | 269.585.8711jenget@portagelibrary.info

Lawrence Kapture | 269.585.8718lkapture@portagelibrary.info