Summer Reading Programs

I'm over at my other blog today talking about my failures this summer in terms of programming. I wish I knew how to change it, because it's really depressing.

But, in order to stay positive, I'm asking about your Summer Reading Program success stories. What worked really well for you this year in terms of programming?

Summer Reading

I'm over at my blog today talking about Summer Reading.

That article with the Evil Librarian has been shared in the news so much, that I thought I would talk about how it worked at the library I work at. It's different - reading for prizes. I never did that as a kid. I read and filled out paperwork and had an ice cream sundae at the end of summer. And that was it. It was enough.

I don't mind handing out prizes because I think reading is important.  I know from experience that no prizes or not cool enough prizes doesn't entice teens in my library to read (or record) books.

What are your thoughts?

Summer Program: Monster Brownies

We had 13 teens at our Kick-off for Summer Reading.

I found this pin on pinterest:

And decided that would be great! So I bought brownies, frosting, food coloring, starburst, green twizzlers, pretzels, smarties, and skittles. I lined the two tables in the teen area with paper for easy clean-up.

We mixed individual frosting for everyone.  They added candy and goodies to their plates and then decorated up a storm.

I added our the photos to our Teen Facebook Summer Photo Album. 

By taking pictures to post, teens discovered that we had a facebook page and a few of them have liked us since then.

It was a great easy program filled lots of laughter and fun.

Teen Passive Programs

Do you have passive programs at your library? Do they work?

In all honestly, they haven't quite worked for me in previous times. But I'm hoping to change that this summer. I'm trying to focus on fewer programs, but more exciting ones.

Hopefully the passive programs will gain interest. As I'm doing a Zombie/Monster program with Groundbreaking Reads, that will be the focus. I'm going to try monster art, zombie playlist, zombie wordle, and skull art.

I'm hoping the skull art will be in the vein of Giuseppe Arcimboldo and his seasonal paintings

I'm giving small prizes for these contests and I hope to use the material for decorations at our finale event. Is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks for helping! Plus if you've had a successful passive program, will you share it in the comments?

Teen Summer Reading Programs

I'm gearing up for summer. I've decided not to use the teen theme or the teen art. It's just not my thing. I don't like the art. It's confusing to me and to the teens I've talked with. Instead, we're stealing the adult art and theme.

Isn't that cool?

I've started (with some help of teen interns) creating program ideas based off of the hand coming out of the ground. We're going to be doing a monster/zombie program. I've started a Pinterest board on the Otis Library site.  Some of the ideas will be fore display, some books will be listed, and some program ideas.

Program ideas that the teen interns loved:

Zombie/Monster cooking contest - bring in an item that you've created

Zombie/Monster ball (finale program) - with monster cookies (Pinterest) and monster shakes (Pinterest)

Learn the Thriller Dance

Marshmallow Monsters/Zombies (this program was supposed to be last year but was canceled due to a hurricane) - also from Pinterest

Zombie Make-up

Zombify a Barbie

I'm working on creating a calendar that will have these programs and more for the summer.