We've been doing an adult reading program for some time, and it has grown each year. We do count minutes, and reading to kids adds to that count. Like Bastrop, we're going to concentrate on a few nice prizes and have a drawing. We'll see how that affects participation. My personal goal is to see adults WITHOUT children participating as the alliterate adult is a real issue for all of us. Learning how to encourage THAT population may be more of a challenge. I'll have to depend on my staff to give more details.
Dale Ricklefs, Library Director Round Rock Public Library 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock, Texas 78664 512-218-7010; 218-7061 (fax); 669-1753 (cell); [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that our spam blocker blocks many emails, especially yahoo, gmail, and similar sites. You may get a "mailbox full" message. This means you have been blocked. Please call at one of the numbers above if you are having problems getting through. Thank you! From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karen Ellis Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 8:36 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ctls-l] Adult Summer Reading Programs Dear CTLS Colleagues: Some of you all asked to have any info on this topic forwarded. Apparently there are a few of us who are getting set to try an Adult SRP. Bonnie from Bastrop included some fliers, so I've attached those to this e-mail. If anyone else has more Adult Summer Reading Program ideas or how-to's, please share. Here's what I've received so far: _____________ We have a passive ASRP because most adults don't get the summer off. Basically, the adults (18 and up) can read, listen to etc. a library resources of their choice, fill out a form, rate the item, and write a 200 word or less review (optional), and they are automatically entered for a prize drawing. It is surprisingly popular and most of them do actually write a review! Then we post the reviews on our website (listing only the first name of the reviewer). This year we plan to expand it to include the senior assisted living facilities. Jennifer Coffey Reference Librarian Pflugerville Community Library ___________ We have a "Moderately Mature" book log for our adult readers in the summer. We invite the ones that fill it out and turn it in to the Finale dinner and have the young adults provide the entertainment. Sandy Ott Library Director Elgin Public Library __________ We're looking at trying our first Adult Summer Reading program this year as well. We're trying to get local restaurants to donate prizes. Our plan is to have a thermometer on the wall, set a goal, and color it in as readers turn in logs. Then, if money holds out, maybe have a finale reception for participants. That could even kick off a one-book-one-community program. Or, it could flop completely :) Let me know if you get any great ideas. -Donita Donita Carlquist Ward- Library Director Wells Branch Community Library ____________ We have been doing an adult program for several years with great success. It is set up pretty easy breezy. This is what we do. Adults register and get a packet of materials just like the kids. The packet usually contains a reading log, information sheet to explain how it all works, a SRP bookmark, pen, Friends information, book club information, summer calendar, bookmark with business sponsors and other random stuff, maybe a coupon depending on what we have. Everyone here counts pages since it goes toward our Million Page challenge. The kids read 1,000 and the adults read 2,000. We figure that is about 1 -1 ½ books a week for the 7 weeks. They write down their pages on the log, ¼ sheet like a bookmark, and turn it in when they are done. They are then entered in the prize drawing. They can enter the drawing multiple times. When they finish we usually have a prize of some sort, cool pens and nice bookmarks, plus one of the local coffee shops in town gives us coupons for 25% off a drink purchase. People really love these! In the past we have had lots of random prizes for the drawing. People really don't care too much about the drawing so this summer we are going to only have 4 or 5 nice prizes for the drawing. All anyone really wants is the gift certificate from the Hyatt and the gift basket from Starbucks, so why knock ourselves out getting prizes? Last summer we added 2 adult programs to our calendar. An evening music program, which was not well attended, and an afternoon tea, which was a huge success. This summer we are having a tea again and a book signing for a local author. We also included a nice invitation to the tea in the packets. We really aim our program at the parents, telling them to read with their kids. We also tell them if they are reading to their children they can only count the pages on one log either children's or theirs. They can count anything, newspapers, magazines, stuff from work, web pages, anything print. I do draw the line at audio books, someone always asks. After all, it is the summer READING program. That's what we do. I've attached some things from last year you can look at and if I can be any help you know where to find me! Bonnie Bonnie Ueckert Children's Librarian Bastrop Public Library ________________ Thanks! Karen Ellis Karen Ellis, Library Director Taylor Public Library 801 Vance Street Taylor, TX 76574 512-352-3434
