www.southsiouxcity.org/library

Turning Your Program Around

What the South Sioux City Public Library did to

change the public’s perception of the

library.

June 1, 2009

New Library Director Hired New Children’s Librarian

Hired New Library Board chosen to

replace dismissed board.

Perception of the library

It was boring. Nothing to do. The programs didn’t fit their needs. The library lacked posters, pictures,

books on display. Not kid friendly. Didn’t know we had one.

In the last 2 years we have seen

these increases.

Circulation checkouts

2008-2009: 22,5312010-2011: 43,486

Computer Usage

2008-2009: 20900

2010-2011: 27227

New Cards Issued

2008-2009: 950

2010-2011: 1276

Reference Questions Answered

2008-2009: 406

2010-2011: 803

Adult Programming Attendance

2008-2009: 684

2010-2011: 3180

Children’s Programming Attendance

2008-2009: 1895

2010-2011: 6225

What did we do to accomplish this turn around.

Interview library patrons

Communicate with people who

don’t use the library with

questionnaires.

Meet with civic groups and give presentations.

Meet with local agencies and see what the library could do to

assist their agency.

Talk with area schools.

Talk with area businesses.

Do a review of the services your community provides and try to fill in

the gaps.

See what other libraries are doing and recreate their

ideas to fit your needs.

Keep an open mind. Even if an idea doesn’t

catch on right away, keep trying.

Changes in Youth Programming

2009: Story Times were held consistently twice a week & two programs that ran once a month

2011: Story Times are held consistently five times a week

Encouraged Partnerships with Community

Move & Music Classes for youth Story Telling with

local teachers

We also utilize our local Chamberetts, Optimist Club and 4-H Extension Office for

programming

Look at the Community You Serve

In our community we saw a need and reached out to fill it.

We have a mother who volunteers to read bilingual books and we make crafts with the children

Bilingual Story Time

Consistency Keeping programming consistent is a

major help for your families to remember to stop in

Being consistent in special programs (monthly or yearly) is a benefit.

LEGO classes & contest

Make the library FUN!End of Summer

Reading – “Food Fight”

Hanging out at the library

Stuffed Toy

Sleep-Over

Dr. Seuss Celebration!

Summer Reading Programs

World Juggling Day

String Instrument Extravaganza

Sioux Falls Zoo Mobile

Puppet Making

More Summer ReadingBugs from around the World

Nebraska’s Humanities Council – David Marsh Music from around the World

Mad Science

New Area’s

Teen Area

Young Kids Area

Teen Murder Mystery Dinner

Programming with Adults 2000- Present

2000-2004 Library Building Project 2004-2007 Countywide Service 2007-Present Making Library Services

work for People.

Programming with Adults

Cover to Cover Book Club

Started in 2002

We are regularly involved in One Book Events

Book Club Resources

One Book Programs

Resources Available to Libraries

Nebraska Book Club Wiki http://nebookclub.pbworks.com/w/page/7656389/FrontPage

NLC Book Club Kits http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/ref/bookclub/

The Big Read http://neabigread.org/ Nebraska Humanities Council

http://www.nebraskahumanities.org/speakers/books.html

Resources Available to Book Clubs

Reading Group Guides http://www.readinggroupguides.com/content/index.asp

Library Thing http://www.librarything.com/

Shelfari http://www.shelfari.com/ Good Reads

http://www.goodreads.com/

Programming with Adults

Book clubs- Cover to Cover Humanities Programming

Lewis & Clark Bicentennial 2003-2005

Humanities Programming

Connecting with state arts and humanities groups is a great way to do programming.

Connecting with local and area arts and humanities presenters outside the state can also reap benefits.

Connect programming to the natural interests of the community

Programming with Adults

Book clubs- Cover to Cover Humanities Programming Local and Personal Interests

Native American/ Western Programming

Local & Personal Interests

Musical Programming

Music Contacts

Concerts in Your Home http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/

Unbound Booking http://www.unboundbooking.com/

Art Gallery Area

Community Garden/ Organic Gardening

Cardinal Festival

Movies

Real to Reel- popular movies with contemporary issues.

Movies

B Movie Night at the Bijou

Classic Movies and Discussion

Special Movie Presentations

Movies in History celebrating birthdays or anniversaries.

Special Movie Presentations

Movies with special themes

And There’s More

Technology classes (20-25 classes a month)

Classes on Medicare Part D sign-up Digital Television switch over Banned books week discussions Stars of the Silent Films Games day Trivia Contest

50+ Area