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