PROGRAMMING CORNER

Summer presents a unique scheduling dilemma for programming librarians: while many families travel, local attendees—including working families, local teens, and staycationers—are looking for high-quality, accessible entertainment. The solution is to redefine the library’s role, moving past the passive, incentive-based Summer Reading Program (SRP) to become a vibrant, community-wide "Summer Destination."

    This shift means embracing the excitement of large-scale public events that capitalize on good weather and community spirit. Think bigger than a weekly story time. Imagine an all-ages Library Lit Fest, featuring local authors, interactive workshops, and a culminating outdoor concert. Host a weekly "Books & Brews" or "Pages & Popsicles" series right on the front lawn, where reading-related trivia, plein air painting, or hands-on making activities lead into a local band performance. These events are not just about reading; they are about using the library as a venue for cultural and social experiences.

     The secret to exploiting the "people are away" dilemma is focusing all marketing energy on the steadfast local population. These residents appreciate consistency and proximity. By hosting festivals and concert series, you are not competing with vacation plans; you are offering an essential, non-traveling alternative.

      Incorporating reading need not be forced: a festival stage becomes a platform for a youth poetry slam, a concert interlude features a librarian-curated "Summer Soundtrack" booklist, or an outdoor film screening is preceded by a short discussion of the book it's based on. These destination programs generate buzz, attract non-traditional library users, and solidify your library as the heart of summer life for everyone who calls your town home year-round. They transform the library into a place people choose to go, not just a place they use to check out books.

1.Research Focus for Destination Programming

Experiential & Themed Series

This area focuses on moving beyond the standard library format and utilizing your entire property and local environment.

Outdoor Concerts and Performances: Don't just book a band; create a series. Research local bands, solo acoustic acts, or community theater groups that would appeal to your core local audience. Investigate how other libraries or parks host events like "Music on the Lawn" or "Outdoor Film Festival" series, including successful models for audience comfort (shading, seating, bug control).

"Library Takeover" Festival Models: Look for case studies of libraries that transform their grounds for a single, large-scale event (e.g., a "Maker Festival," a "Cultural Heritage Fair," or a "Summer Solstice Celebration"). This goes beyond programming and focuses on ambiance, wayfinding, and transforming spaces (like a parking lot into a marketplace).

  Integrating Local Food Vendors (If permitted): Partnering with food trucks or local restaurants is a major draw. Research the specific health and business permits required for third-party food vendors on public property. Explore options for low-cost refreshments the library can provide, like a "Popsicles & Storytime" hour, or setting up a designated picnic area.

2. Reading Integration

The goal is to weave literacy into the excitement without making it feel like homework. "One Book, One Community" Summer Adaptation: Instead of a traditional book club, structure a large summer event around a single, high-interest book or graphic novel. Host a "Book-to-Activity Challenge" (e.g., if the book involves gardening, host a seed-starting workshop). The event is the draw; the book is the theme.

Literature as Performance:  Research spoken-word artists, local poets, or theatrical groups who can perform excerpts of classic or contemporary literature. These ideas can turn reading into a dynamic, social spectacle. Consider hosting a Youth or Adult Poetry Slam with a librarian as the MC and a local poet as a judge.

Curated Book-to-Theme Lists:  Develop short, engaging booklists that directly tie into your non-reading events. For a Latin Jazz concert, hand out a list of "5 Memoirs & 5 Novels to Read with a Salsa Beat." Make the list a collectible bookmark or magnet—a tangible take-away that reinforces the reading connection.

3. Partnerships & Funding

Large-scale events require more resources; partners are key to managing costs and spreading the workload.

Identifying Funding Streams: Research local government cultural councils, community development block grants (CDBG), and private foundations that specifically fund arts and culture events.

Corporate Sponsorship: Look for local businesses (banks, realtors, supermarkets) whose marketing goals align with community presence. A simple request might be to sponsor the cost of the outdoor stage or provide free promotional items for attendees. Be prepared to offer logo placement on banners and flyers.

Collaborative Events:  Partner with a local non-library entity (e.g., a school district, a museum, a parks department) to co-host an event. This shares the logistical burden, increases your combined marketing reach, and justifies a larger budget.

4. Logistics & Community Buy-in

These elements ensure your events are safe, successful, and well-attended.

Permits and Public Safety: Contact your town or city's building and recreation departments early. You will need clear guidance on fire code for capacity, noise ordinances for concerts, and liability insurance for public events. If you're using a park, you'll need a formal use permit.

Audience Analysis and Timing: Use your library's circulation data to identify which local areas are not traveling heavily in the summer. Schedule your biggest events on weekday evenings or weekend times that won't conflict with regional sports leagues or major city-wide events.

Volunteer Mobilization: Large events require many hands. Create specific, high-visibility roles for volunteers—like "Festival Ambassadors"  or "Event Safety Crew"—to attract organized and motivated community members. A robust volunteer program is essential for scalability. You can also give your "Friends of the Library" a task to mobilize volunteers and also create buy-in for the community to participate.