Portable Programs with Pizzazz

Jody Olivieri Homer Township Public Library, Homer Glen, IL

Programming on a Bookmobile

Renaissance Faire

Who has the time or room?

Give your patrons a “value added” experience at your bookmobile stops and make their visits memorable.

Provide opportunities to interact with your patrons on a unique, personal level.

When the imagination is stimulated it will spark renewed or rejuvenated interest for reading and books.

Improve patron retention: make your bookmobile stops educational, entertaining, welcoming and fun.

Numbers speak: each program and every participant add quantifiable statistics to support your bookmobile department’s relevance.

Why bother with programming?

Pajama Party

Limited space Limited time Limited staff Limited budget Programming must be portable, age appropriate and quick

Challenges for programming on a Bookmobile

Bagel Bird Feeder

Craft and create Hold contests and drawings Partner with local museums, park

districts, forest preserves, scout troops, community members, etc.

Hold special programs in area parks i.e. Stories in the Park, Renaissance Faire, Animal shows

Rent costumes for mascots and themed events

Employ puppets, a felt board or white board

Use props Play games, trivia, scavenger

hunts Hire professional musicians,

magicians, or storytellers Get inspiration from staff, patrons

and community members

Create a style of programming that works for you…

Cold Blooded Animal Show

September: Teacher Emergency Kit October: Monster Book Mark November: Thanksgiving Abacus December: Shrinky Dink January: Snowflake Bookmark February: Potholder/Glow Valentine March: Easter Basket April: Slime or Drool May: Buzz Like a Bee/Butterfly June: Father’s Day Coupon July: Dragon Dice Travel Game August: Animals and Plants

Display

A Program a Month: Hands on!

Wiki: Portable Programs with Pizzazz

Instructions and editable graphics to help you launch your own programs with pizzazz…

Check out sidebar for resourcesNavigation for files

Wiki: Page 2Create a program that works for you

The plentiful “P”s of programming.A free resource we may all share and add to.

http://programswithpizzazz.pbworks.com

Jody Olivieri◦ jodyo@homerlibrary.org

Wiki: Portable Programs with Pizzazz