This document outlines the transformation of a public library in South Sioux City, Nebraska from 2008-2012. It details how circulation, computer usage, and programming attendance all increased substantially during this period. This was accomplished through hiring a new director and staff, communicating with patrons, giving presentations, collaborating with local agencies, and focusing programming on community needs and interests. The library now offers over 1,500 programs annually, including many for adults and children. Future plans include additional educational, cultural, and technology programs.

1. www.southsiouxcity.org/library

2. Budgeting on a
Shoestring
How we do
What we do
On little dough

3. June 1, 2009
• New Library Director Hired
• New Children’s Librarian Hired
• New Library Board chosen to replace
dismissed board.

4. 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.

5. Circulation checkouts
2008-2009: 22,531
2011-2012: 47,790

6. Computer Usage
2008-2009: 20900
2011-2012: 30910

7. Adult Programming
Attendance
2008-2009: 684
2011-2012: 3011

8. Children’s Programming
Attendance
2008-2009: 1895
2011-2012: 4838

9. What did we do to accomplish this
turn around.
Interview library patrons

10. Communicate with
people who don’t use
the library with
questionnaires.

11. Meet with civic
groups and give
presentations.

12. Meet with local
agencies and see what
the library could do to
assist their agency.

13. Offer them the use
of the library as a
meeting space.

14. Talk with area schools.

15. Talk with area
businesses.

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

17. See what other
libraries are doing
and recreate their
ideas to fit your
needs.

18. Keep an open mind.
Even if an idea doesn’t
catch on right away,
keep trying.

19. Programming
• $4,000 is budgeted
• Around 1,500 programs will be
offered this year.
• 4 full time staff, 6 part time staff
• Volunteers

20. •800 Tech Classes
•300 Youth Programs
•400 Adult Programs

21. Programming with Adults
• Cover to Cover Book Club

22. Started in 2002

23. We are regularly involved in One Book/One
Siouxland Events

24. Book Club Resources
• One Book Programs

25. Resources Available to Libraries
• Nebraska Book Club Wiki
http://nebookclub.pbworks.com/w/page/7656389/F
rontPage
• 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

26. 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/

27. Programming with Adults
• Book clubs- Cover to Cover
• Humanities Programming

28. 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

29. May 4, 2013

31. Programming
Librarian
An initiative of the
American Library Association
Public Programs Office
http://www.programminglibrarian.org/home.html

32. Programming with Adults
• Book clubs- Cover to Cover
• Humanities Programming
• Community Wide Events

33. Cardinal Festival
Drive-In Movie
Kids Programming

34. Community Garden

35. Optimist Club
Christmas Wreath Auction

37. Immigration
Services
free legal services

38. Arts in the School

39. Programming with Adults
• Book clubs- Cover to Cover
• Humanities Programming
• Community Wide Events
• Local and Personal Interests

40. Local & Personal Interests

41. Native American/ Western Programming

42. Musical Programming

43. Music Contacts
• Concerts in Your Home
http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/
• Unbound Booking
http://www.unboundbooking.com/

44. Art Gallery Area

45. Movies
• Real to Reel- popular movies with contemporary
issues.

46. Movies
• B Movie Night at the Bijou

47. Classic Movies and Discussion

48. Special Movie Presentations
• Movies in History celebrating birthdays or
anniversaries.

49. Mango Languages Program
• Talk like a Pirate Day

50. And There’s More
• Technology classes (62 classes a month)
• Seed Saving Library classes
• Banned books week discussions
• Games day
• Trivia Contest
• Travelogue’s
• Scribes ( a local writers group)

51. Spanish Classes

52. 50+ Area

53. Tangled Yarns

54. Changes in Youth Programming
• 2009: Story Times were held consistently twice a week
& two programs that ran once a month
• 2013: We have seven consistent youth programs each
week. With special programs as they come up

55. 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

56. 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

57. 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 also a benefit.
LEGO classes &
contest - yearly

58. Make the library FUN!
Hanging out at the library

60. Dr. Seuss Celebration!

61. Summer Reading Programs
Puppet
World Juggling Day
Making
String Instrument
Extravaganza
Sioux Falls Zoo Mobile

62. More Summer Reading
Bugs from around
the World
Nebraska’s Humanities
Council – David Marsh
Music from around the
World
Mad Science

63. Story Time Crafts

64. New Area’s
Teen Area -
For game playing,
relaxing and reading
Young Kids Area
Toys, Computers & Puppet
Stage

65. Displays
Book
Award
Display
Bulletin Boards
Books on Display

66. Teen Murder Mystery Dinner

67. Love Stinks
Love Stinks was
an anti-
Valentines Day
party for our
Teen Advisory
Board

68. TAB Halloween Party
Everyone from adult
chaperones to teens
dressed up and
enjoyed the night of
games, fun & music

69. • Pat-a-Cake Pals
• Toddler Time
• Preschool Storytime
• PIWI- Parents Interacting with Infants
• Schools Day Out
• Afterschool Children’s Movie Time
• Alphabet Party
• Let’s Create
• Night of Fun
• Symphony Concert for Young Audiences (6th gr)

70. Future
• Casual Conversations (ESL program)
• Garden Group
• Discussions on the Muslim faith and culture
• Passing the written drivers training classes
• Spanish Welcome Wagon program
• Other types of tech classes
• Health classes
• Social worker assistance

71. Future for Youth
• Online Story Time
• After School Tutoring
• Specialty Clubs (LEGO, Science, Poetry, Photography, etc)
• Homeschool Network
• Intro to your new hobby
• Healthy Families
• Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting for Kids
• Simple Cooking Classes
• Books into Movie Club
• Puppetry/Story Telling Group

72. David Mixdorf dwmixdorf@southsiouxcity.org
Odessa Meyer omeyer@southsiouxcity.org