1. THINKING INSIDE THE BOX:
Portable Programs for Public Libraries
Lindsay Schluter, Youth Services Librarian Sophie Walker, Teen Services Librarian Winnipeg Public Library

2. WPL’s Portable Programming
Family Literacy Fun Day Kits (FLFD)
Teen Programs in a Box (TPIB)

3. Outline What are “portable programs?” Overview of FLFD
Results of the program at WPL
Customizing the concept:
Funding
Station Planning
Training
Promotion
Impact on the community

4. What are Portable Programs?
Ideas and instructions for programs are planned centrally
Supplies purchased in advance and packed in durable plastic totes
Staff book programs with central coordinators and receive program kit via library’s delivery system

5. Benefits Minimize costs Maximize staff time
Supplies can be ordered in bulk
Materials are re-used
Maximize staff time
Program created once, and used over and over again

6. Family Literacy Fun Dayat
Winnipeg Public Library

7. What is Family Literacy?
Family literacy refers to the many different ways that families can work and play together while developing reading and writing skills. It is a way of improving literacy while having fun as a family.

8. Family Literacy Fun Day

10. 19 Family Literacy Fun Days!
By the Numbers….
19 Family Literacy Fun Days!
1048 Participants!
Average number of participants per branch: 41
High End: 225 participants at Louis Riel Library
Low End: 19 participants at St. Vital Library

11. Response From the Public
We had a wonderful time! This was our first time coming to the library!
A great time for family bonding!
We Loved it! All the activities had elements of fun and learning!
When is
the next one?

12. Response from Staff
I think it is a great idea and look forward to hosting another one.
We realize now that the program can be a success via drop in. There is always the uncertainty of numbers when there is no registration.
This is a great program and I can see it becoming more popular after every event as people become more familiar with it.
I would love to see more ‘portable programs’ such as this.

13. Family Literacy Fun Day Kit
It’s 100% Portable!
This is a program that is designed to maximize the re-usability of program materials, and minimize the staff time spent planning and preparing!
Family Literacy Fun Day Kit
port-a-ble : moveable, convenient, handy, compact, wieldy

14. Funding Community Foundations Government Organizations
Toronto Community Foundation
Government Organizations
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Canada Post
Non-Profit Organizations
ABC Life Literacy Canada
Kiwanis Clubs
Rotary Clubs
United Way of Canada
Raise-a-Reader
Businesses
Indigo Books, Music & More

15. Invest in quality totes!
Station Planning
Public Libraries
Winnipeg Public Library
London Public Library
Toronto Public Library
Non-Profit Organizations
North West Territories Literacy Council
National Adult Literacy Database
ABC Life Literacy Canada
Early Childhood Education Suppliers
Wintergreen
Scholar’s Choice
Invest in quality totes!

16. Train all staff on safety procedures!
Training
Family Literacy Fundamentals
What is Family Literacy?
Why is it important to foster Family Literacy skills?
Logistics of Family Literacy Fun Day
Scheduling
Staffing
Set-up
Advertising
Train all staff on safety procedures!

17. How Did You Hear About Family Literacy Fun Day?
Promotion
How Did You Hear About Family Literacy Fun Day?

18. Portable Programs Rock!
The possibilities are endless!

19. Teen Programs in a Box!

20. TPIB Project: History Based on SDCL TPIB project, 2007
Simple concept: everything in the box!
Consumable supplies
Tools
Instructions
Recommended books for display
Booked by branches
Sent via delivery or courier to location

21. Kit Example: Bookmaking

22. Our Project
Started in 2008
Team of 4 librarians, 2 “research assistants”
Passionate about teen programming, or at least giving teens something to do
Knew it would be a challenge to get everyone on board
Needed funding; no wiggle room in children’s and adult programming budgets

23. Grant Application
Funded by Jack Montgomery Community Outreach Grant, offered by Library Board
Failed on first application, needed to rewrite and resubmit before funding was awarded
Liked the level of detail and research that went into our proposal:
Detailed budget with itemized lists of supplies and with estimated costs
Statistics

24. Statistics
Teen usage of libraries at WPL:

25. Customizing TPIB to WPL
Our project:
Funded by grant
$5000 Budget:
$3000 for kit contents
$1500 for promotional materials
$300 for packing/shipping
$200 for resupply
1-year timeline

26. So many kit ideas… …so what do you choose?
Customizing the TPIB Concept for WPL:
Looked at examples of other libraries
Looked at old wish list of programs
Looked at our skill sets, built list of “doable” programs

27. Customizing TPIB for WPL
“And why is this a LIBRARY program?”
Fun for fun’s sake is not quite enough
Must be related to our library’s collection and overall mission
Repeat the mantra: the purpose of the program is the collection
Helps in persuading administration, staff

28. Value Proposition
Source: Library Journal, 10/1/2009, Vol. 134 Issue 16, p. 27

29. Teen Programming Value Proposition

30. Our Value Proposition Criteria: Popularity with teen audience
Ease of repetition/cost of re-supply
Staff effort needed to run programs
Lack of similar programming in catchment area
Tie-in to Library collections
Tie-in to Library’s overall mission

31. Assembling the kits Purchasing and assembling wasn’t easy Strategies:
Pilot programs to ascertain volume
Budget may need revision
New supplies that need to be added
Good suppliers, maximize trips
Local wholesalers
Retail stores (Michaels, Walmart, Home Depot)
Dollar stores (Dollarama)

32. WPL’s TPIB Kits Wii Gaming (2 kits) Duct Tape crafts
Mini dolls/Fabric crafts
Sock Puppets
Bookmaking, card-making & scrapbooking
Board Games
Dungeons & Dragons
CD Clocks
Bags & Bows
Wandmaking workshop
Collage Art workshop
Jewelry-making
Zombie Makeup

33. Contents Guide Patterns, instructions & samples
List of books for booktalking and display
Posters, Display Boards and Handouts

34. Staff Buy-in and Participation
Staff buy-in has been positive
Wanted to see 100% increase in teen programming across system from 2009 to 2010
Offerings increased from 10 programs at 5 locations to 27 programs at 14 locations over the same time period
Staff have been eager to book kits, even asking months in advance
Part-time staff are getting involved

35. Troubleshooting Promotion
Difficult to combat the “If You Host It, They Will Come” mentality among staff
Word-of-mouth marketing remains the most essential tool for branch programs
Staff need to be engaged in program or it can fail
Display posters, samples at talking points
Circ counters, ref desks—wherever staff regularly engage teens
Try, try again

36. Marketing $1500 of TPIB budget was set aside for promotional materials
Half spent on Teen Summer Reading promotions, remainder used to create lasting posters for schools and libraries
Advertised events on WPL teen Facebook page, YouTube

37. Sharing? Teen kits don’t have to be just for teens
Tools can be re-purposed for adult programming, tween events
Outreach programs in schools, remote locations
Teachers, community groups interested?
Share the wealth (of knowledge, at least)
Make guides, instructions available

38. Conclusion: Why In A Box?
Programming is hard, time consuming
Addresses challenges that staff face:
need for specialized training
time to design, assemble and promote the program
cost of the materials
Box programs provide branch staff with everything they need to provide self-directed, high-interest programs

39. Benefits Minimization of costs Maximization of staff time Ease of use
Supplies can be ordered in bulk
Expensive items not duplicated
Maximization of staff time
Initial creation takes time
Cost associated with time decreases with each repetition of same program
Ease of use

40. Thanks for Listening!! Lindsay Schluter Sophie Walker
Sophie Walker
wpl.winnipeg.ca
wpl-teens.winnipeg.ca
facebook.com/wpl.teens