Tips on creating cost effective stealth/passive and DIY library programming for kids. Content by Amanda Moss Struckmeyer and Marge Loch-Wouters from a May 2012 Wisconsin Library Association WAPL conference presentation.
2. Who We Are
DIY Programming
Stealth Programming
Amanda Moss Struckmeyer
Head of Youth Services
Middleton Public Library
astruckmeyer@scls.lib.wi.us
608 827-7407
Marge Loch-Wouters
Head of Youth Services
La Crosse Public Library
marge@lacrosselibrary.org
608 789-8190
Blog: Tiny Tips for Library Fun http
://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com
3. What’s Active Programming
Most traditional programming format
Hosted/led by staff or volunteers
Located on-site or off-site
Occurs at a specific time and place
Encourages increased check-out through book
displays/talking
4. DIY Programming: The Basics
Monthly theme (often seasonal)
Reproducible individual activities
Variety of levels, from pre-K through teen
Available anytime the library is open
5. A Simple DIY Station
Sign or Poster
Acrylic Holder for Instructions
Crayons, Pencils
Ballot Box
Small Book Display
Wall or Bulletin Board Nearby
7. Minimizing Pitfalls & Disruptions
Tape down guessing jars filled with treats!
Do occasional sweeps to keep crayons and other
materials from moving around your library
Monitor the station for inappropriate artwork or
language and general maintenance
If possible, keep the DIY station near an area that is
regularly staffed
8. January: Fairy Tales
DIY Activities:
My Favorite Fairy Tale: Character and Scene
Create a Magic Carpet
Create Your Own Fractured Fairy Tale
Fairy Tale Matching Game
Program Extensions:
Fractured Fairy Tale Party
Reader’s Theater
Fairy Tale Feast
Lego Build a Castle
Movie Night
9. July: Ice Cream
DIY Activities:
Create the World’s Largest Ice
Cream Cone!
Guess the Height of the World’s
Largest Ice Cream Cone
Funky Flavors Ice Cream Menu
Let’s Go Shopping for Ice Cream
Program Extensions:
Ice Cream Social
Books & Blenders! (Smoothies,
Shakes, and Floats)
14. October: Monsters
DIY Activities
Monster Motel
Monster Books
Make up a Monster Story
Monster Munchies
Guess How Many Cookies are in
the Monster’s Cookie Jar
Program Extensions
Scary Stories Read Aloud
Beast Feast
Creature Feature Film Fest
17. What’s Stealth (or Passive) Programming?
Programs that take some initial planning and set-up
but, once in place, are able to be administered easily
with little ongoing staff time devoted to them.
Encourage return visits to the library without an
active program
Families & youth provide the “power” and activity on
their own time
Encourages increased check-out through incentives
or nature of program
18. SLP is a classic
example of a
stealth program
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-reading-fun-has-begun.html
19. SLP for Babies
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2011/06/doing-summer-thing.html
20. 1000 Books Before
Kindergarten!
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2013/01/1000-books-before-kindergarten-is-still.html
21. Baby Book
Bees
Read more about it:
http://readingwithred.blogspot.com/2013/11/baby-book-bees.html
23. Smart Cookies Club
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2012/01/cookie-club-goodness.html
24. Undercover Spy Club
Read more about it:
http://brycedontplay.blogspot.com/2013/07/undercover-spy-club-sneaky-social.html
25. Reading is Key Club
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2012/05/reading-is-key-club.html
26. What Happens When You Add Stealth Programming?
In 2011:
We decreased traditional programs 39%
We had 32% fewer attendees at children’s programs
Circulation of all children’s materials increased 10%
Circulation of print children’s materials increased 15%
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2012/02/thats-what-im-talkin-about.html
Hinweis der Redaktion
Undercover Spy Club was like Flat Stanly and was planned to dovetail with a “Hometown Tourist” effort in our community to discover La Crosse.
Kids got a little spy guy to decorate and take with them around lacrosse. When they returned, they could put a dot on the city map to show where they had visited (we kept count by pre-counting the number of spies before we gave them out and counting the map dots for return visits. Spies who returned with their sidekicks received a pair of sunglasses!
Our goal in this program was to support a library-wide effort and get the kids out in the community and then back to us in a slow month –May. This was only slightly successful because the larger effort don’t come off – we have been assured that the tourist piece will happen next year.