So They're Signed Up--What Now?
Once the teens are registered, it's not over. Logging and reviewing books is a fun way to share what teens read while helping us track how much they read. The SR website makes the experience more like other social media experiences so it should be familiar for teens (as long as they can remember their username!!).
Consider highlighting the teens' reviews or work with them to create a new badge. Figure out ways to make their ongoing PARTICIPATION in Summer Reading fun and meaningful.
Cash in the Coffee Can: $460
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Ten Tips for Teen Summer Reading: #6
A Friendly Wager
So you know how mayors of cities competing in big sporting events always wager something on the outcome of the game? Why not do that with another library?
Find a colleague in Queens (or anywhere, for that matter) and bet their teens what your teens will do this summer. You could wager on
Cash in the Coffee Can: $446
So you know how mayors of cities competing in big sporting events always wager something on the outcome of the game? Why not do that with another library?
Find a colleague in Queens (or anywhere, for that matter) and bet their teens what your teens will do this summer. You could wager on
- number of teens signed up
- number of books read/logged
- number of books reviewed
Cash in the Coffee Can: $446
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Ten Tips for Teen Summer Reading: #5
Outreach
Where are the teens in your neighborhood when they're not at school, home or your library? Find out and find them there. If the teens won't tell you, ask the adults--they'll be happy to let you know where mobs of teens are. Whether it's just by hanging a flier in the window of the pizza place or visiting the local community or rec center, bringing the library TO teens who aren't regular library users can open doors.
Day camps and vacation bible schools may have younger kids as campers but most will have teen counselors--make sure those teens get signed up. Get to know the non-profits in your community, especially those that work with teens and see if you can do a Summer Reading event there.
Cash in the Coffee Can: $432
Where are the teens in your neighborhood when they're not at school, home or your library? Find out and find them there. If the teens won't tell you, ask the adults--they'll be happy to let you know where mobs of teens are. Whether it's just by hanging a flier in the window of the pizza place or visiting the local community or rec center, bringing the library TO teens who aren't regular library users can open doors.
Day camps and vacation bible schools may have younger kids as campers but most will have teen counselors--make sure those teens get signed up. Get to know the non-profits in your community, especially those that work with teens and see if you can do a Summer Reading event there.
Cash in the Coffee Can: $432
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Ten Tips for Teen Summer Reading: #4
Peer Pressure
Several libraries did very well last summer by using their teen staff, volunteers and regulars to get other teens to sign up. Think about it--it can't be SO awful a thing to do if other teens are pushing it, right? (see--peer pressure) Even better, see what your teens think would be the best way to get other teens signed up and take their advice whenever possible.
We have some Target money set aside to support and reward libraries that make the best use of teen volunteers and Book Buddies so be creative, be focused and put those teens to work!
Cash in the Coffee Can: $418
Several libraries did very well last summer by using their teen staff, volunteers and regulars to get other teens to sign up. Think about it--it can't be SO awful a thing to do if other teens are pushing it, right? (see--peer pressure) Even better, see what your teens think would be the best way to get other teens signed up and take their advice whenever possible.
We have some Target money set aside to support and reward libraries that make the best use of teen volunteers and Book Buddies so be creative, be focused and put those teens to work!
Cash in the Coffee Can: $418
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Ten Tips for Teen Summer Reading: #3
Summer Reading = Advocacy
Many of the libraries that did well last summer on their Summer Reading numbers used registration as part of their budget advocacy campaigns. Numbers have meaning to the folks holding the purse strings, so being able to increase our SR numbers during the threat of cuts is HUGELY important.
Appeal to teens and adults by reminding them that signing up for SR is another way to show support for Queens Library. Remind them what next summer will look like if we lose funding this summer.
Cash in the Coffee Can: $404
Many of the libraries that did well last summer on their Summer Reading numbers used registration as part of their budget advocacy campaigns. Numbers have meaning to the folks holding the purse strings, so being able to increase our SR numbers during the threat of cuts is HUGELY important.
Appeal to teens and adults by reminding them that signing up for SR is another way to show support for Queens Library. Remind them what next summer will look like if we lose funding this summer.
Cash in the Coffee Can: $404
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Ten Tips for Teen Summer Reading: #2
Be Creative
It's tough to do Summer Reading on a shoe-string budget. The good news is that there are lots of ways to entice teens to participate that don't cost very much.
The J librarians have come up with lots of wacky stunts that get the kids reading (and make great news stories and anecdotes for funders); why don't we? Think about it--what do teens love more than being able to feel superior to adults, so think of a challenge that will be both meaningful for them and potentially humiliating for you.
Creative programming helps, too. I got some great ideas for the SR brochure that aren't going to cost a lot. Build on the theme of One World, Many Stories--it's so perfect for Queens!
Challenge your staff, too. The registration targets created by CLS and CEL administration are meant to encourage agencies to work as a team to reach all ages for Summer Reading. But, if you're a competitive bunch, see who can register the most people. Decide what that person should get for winning (a few extra off-desk hours?).
Cash in the Coffee Can: $390
It's tough to do Summer Reading on a shoe-string budget. The good news is that there are lots of ways to entice teens to participate that don't cost very much.
The J librarians have come up with lots of wacky stunts that get the kids reading (and make great news stories and anecdotes for funders); why don't we? Think about it--what do teens love more than being able to feel superior to adults, so think of a challenge that will be both meaningful for them and potentially humiliating for you.
Creative programming helps, too. I got some great ideas for the SR brochure that aren't going to cost a lot. Build on the theme of One World, Many Stories--it's so perfect for Queens!
Challenge your staff, too. The registration targets created by CLS and CEL administration are meant to encourage agencies to work as a team to reach all ages for Summer Reading. But, if you're a competitive bunch, see who can register the most people. Decide what that person should get for winning (a few extra off-desk hours?).
Cash in the Coffee Can: $390
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Ten Tips for Teen Summer Reading: #1
Try the schools.
It doesn't always work, but they can be a great way to get a huge boost in numbers. The easiest way is to ask the schools for a list of the teens' names after you've visited the classes or an assembly--many schools will do this and it saves them and you lots of time and those little registration papers.
Remind teachers that since they're assigning summer reading anyway, the teens might as well sign up for Summer Reading to make it official.
Offer to speak at a PTA or other meeting to reach parents. If you are doing classroom visits and are limited on incentives (sorry, but we ARE poor), bring a couple of things to either raffle off or award as prizes for trivia--it's a great way to tie together book-talks and Summer Reading and get the teens (especially middle schoolers) excited.
If you can't get into classrooms, try a "Summer Reading Great Race." Split your staff into teams and see how many schools they can drop off fliers at during a set amount of time. It can't hurt to at least get a foot in the door and leave materials in the office. If your staff is VERY small, race yourself (and make sure to reward yourself with something cold to eat or drink!).
Cash in the Coffee Can: $376
It doesn't always work, but they can be a great way to get a huge boost in numbers. The easiest way is to ask the schools for a list of the teens' names after you've visited the classes or an assembly--many schools will do this and it saves them and you lots of time and those little registration papers.
Remind teachers that since they're assigning summer reading anyway, the teens might as well sign up for Summer Reading to make it official.
Offer to speak at a PTA or other meeting to reach parents. If you are doing classroom visits and are limited on incentives (sorry, but we ARE poor), bring a couple of things to either raffle off or award as prizes for trivia--it's a great way to tie together book-talks and Summer Reading and get the teens (especially middle schoolers) excited.
If you can't get into classrooms, try a "Summer Reading Great Race." Split your staff into teams and see how many schools they can drop off fliers at during a set amount of time. It can't hurt to at least get a foot in the door and leave materials in the office. If your staff is VERY small, race yourself (and make sure to reward yourself with something cold to eat or drink!).
Cash in the Coffee Can: $376
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