1. 1. Lesley Williams Head of Adult Services Evanston Public Library Library Programs for Grown-Ups
2. 2. A bit about the Evanston community: Population: 74,486 39.7% non-white Hispanic pop. has grown 91% since 1990 20% high income, 19.7% low income 37% have advanced degrees 11.6% high school or GED Home to Northwestern University
3. 3. History of Programming at EPL Previously handled by Friends of the Library. Not free Primarily literary, played to a limited audience Later, programs tended to be from the library circuit, not especially fresh or targeted to Evanston community
4. 4. Challenges to Public Programming Perceptions: for seniors and six year olds Competition: like Iowa City, lots going on in community. How much is library programming needed? Money (of course). Many library program regulars charge exorbitant fees.
5. 5. Essential Questions: What needs arent being met that Library programs could fulfill? What populations (ages, ethnicities, life stages) arent being served? Who can we work with?
6. 6. EPLs Approach Limit the number of fee based programs Focus on community resources: local nonprofits, local authors, university community, business community Provide original programs targeted to Evanston, not duplicating neighbors
7. 7. Programming Partners Northwesterns Science societies Kaplan Humanities Institute Local and specialty bookstores Interfaith organizations Political and advocacy organizations Service fraternities and sororities Local park district
8. 8. Winners of Scientific Images contest discuss their projects
9. 9. Art History Professor Huey Copeland lectures
10. 10. Our Focus Areas Community issues and discussion Ethnic diversity Slow Books and New Authors Business, Career and Financial support
11. 11. Community Issues Announced willingness to partner with any local nonprofit for up to 6 programs per year Open to controversies: politics, sex, the Middle East Pros local group does much of the publicity, controversy generates media interest. Untold Stories, Neighbors for Peace and Evanston Republican Party
12. 12. Untold Stories: We Skype with Gaza
13. 13. Israel-Palestine series
14. 14. Yes, we talk about SEX in the Library!
15. 15. Ethnic Diversity Latino Outreach Muslim Journeys 11 Months of African American History
16. 16. FIESTA 2011! Celebrate Latin@ Heritage Month www.epl.org/latinoheritage Cuentos de Cuba Thursday, 9/22 at 7pm Community Meeting Room Cuentos de Cuba El jueves, 9/22 a las 7 de la noche Cuarto de la Comunidad
17. 17. Slow Books Mission Impossible August Wilson series One Book One Northwestern Local Authors
18. 18. 3 Authors Programs: Leg up for new local authors
19. 19. Discussing August Wilsons Gem of the Ocean
20. 20. Teen and Adult crossover Cory Doctorow speaking at EPL, October 2012
21. 21. Business, Career and Financial support Can be most challenging to get participants (library not typically viewed as expert) Partnerships with trusted organizations are key NextChapter program YWCA and WorkNet MoneySmart Week
22. 22. NextChapter and Worknet: small business and jobs
23. 23. Scheduling Tips Series work better than standalones Know the communitys events Check the football schedules!
24. 24. Thoughts on Marketing Recognize that you are not a marketer or a graphic designer: get help! Avoid the library ghetto in local media Identify where your audience gets its news. Church? Rotary club? School newsletters? Social service agencies? Enlist your presenters and partner organizations
25. 25. Final thoughts No typical library program Provide whats missing, not more of the same Be bold, not bland.
26. 26. Lesley Williams lawilliams@cityofevanston.org 847-448-8630 www.epl.org facebook.com/evanstonpubliclibrary Thanks!!