Sharlene Edwards, Program Director, Bradley Public Library (NJ) There is no avoiding it: the library landscape has been changing. We are dealing with slashed budgets and insufficient staffing while attempting to meet an increased need for innovative library programming. As librarians from small libraries, we may be reluctant to shake things up with new ideas because of the high price of failure. So how do we stay relevant in the 21st century? This presentation is a how-to guide for utilizing local resources, establishing valuable community partnerships, and decreasing costs while increasing participation in fresh, fearless, and affordable library programming. http://youtu.be/2MMDrjXCiK8 http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/

1. Be Novel!:
Fresh, Fearless, an
d Affordable
Library
Programming
Presented by:
Sharlene Edwards
Program Director,
Bradley Beach Public Library

2. Gloom & Doom:
Adventures in Library Land

3. The Challenges:
 Decrease in funding
 Staff reductions
 Cut hours
 Relevancy in the Digital Age

5. The (Happy) Facts:
 Public libraries served 96.4% of the total US
population in 2010
 58% of Americans age 16 and older have a
library card
 53% of Americans had visited a library or
bookmobile in person in the past 12 months
 62% of public libraries report that they are the
only source of free public access to
computers and the Internet in their
communities
 In 2010, public libraries circulated 2.46 billion
materials, the highest circulation in 10
years, representing a continued increasing
trend

7. Why focus on library
programming?
 In 2010, public libraries offered 3.75 million
programs to the public
 Of the 53% of people who visited the physical
library in the past 12 months
 41% attended or brought a youngster to a class,
program, or event designed for children or
teens
 23% attended a meeting of a group to which
they belong
 21% Attended a class, program, or lecture for
adults
 In 2010, attendance at children’s programs
reached 60.5 million

9. BBPL: Overview
 Town pop.: 4,295
 Program budget (2013): $3,833.00
 Program costs (2013): $3,668.00
 Speakers: $645.00
 Supplies: $3,023.00
 # of programs per year (2013): 581
 Program attendance (2013): 4,104

10. Partnerships & Collaboration
How to Make Your Library Invaluable
 The Benefits:
 Increased visibility
 Split costs
 Proof of worth
 Who to partner with?
 The schools
 Town departments (Chamber of
Commerce, Recreation, Tourism, etc.)
 Local organizations (Historical Society, Senior
Citizen groups, Arts Council, etc.)
 Local businesses
 Other libraries!

11. Summer Reading…and so
much more!
The Collaborative Summer
Library Program
Ann Arbor District Library:
The Summer Game
Bradley Beach & Beyond

12. Historical Walk
 Historical Walk Brochure 3rd Edition
 Creating Your Own Unique Digital
Content
 South Orange Public Library: Local History
Wiki
 Neenah Public Library: Local History Digital
Collection
 Future projects: Self-guided walking tour
with accompanying audio track

13. Thank You, Neighbor!
Good Neighbor Day Sept. 28th
 Foster a sense of community pride
Promote volunteer work and
contributions to the community
Foster good will towards the library
and one another
Nomination forms

14. Honorable Mentions
Art show – cultural enrichment
Quidditch – sports at the
library!
Town-wide Scavenger Hunt –
town exploration
Life-size Candy Land –
good, clean, nostalgic fun

15. My Best Worst Ideas
The How-To Club for Kids
Encourage middle school kids to
learn new skills and explore new
hobbies
The Sunshine Project
Facilitate projects to benefit local
charities
Life-Size Battleship
Family Feud

16. The Takeaways
Just Do It!
Beg & Borrow
…& Steal (each other's ideas!)
Give back
Go big and then go bigger

17. Neat resources to know about
Programming Librarian
Library Journal- Programs that Pop
The State of America’s Libraries 2013
Report
Pew Research Center
ALA’s Libraries Matter Portal
ALA’s Transforming Libraries

18. Contact!
BBPL’s Facebook page
E-mail:
sharlene@bradleybeachlibrary.org