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goals * records * rewards

Deciding what you ask your participants to track, how they track it and how you are going to reward their efforts can be one of the most dificult decisions to make.  If your library already has a system in place that works well, that's fantastic.  However, if you want to change things up or you are finding your tried-and-true method takes too much staff time to manage, it may well be worth the risk to try something new. 

Successful programming requires careful planning. Depending on your library's policies, you may need to set goals and objectives to share with your director, board, and community government. 

 

Having goals and objectives will also help you know which sort of information you'd like to collect from your participants.  It may help decide whether you have them officially register for summer reading, or you just collect reading logs as they complete their goal.

 

Statistics come in handy when talking to possible donors or your city government about funding. Whatever information you collect make sure you can organize it into quantative data. 

  • To have 75% of the participants complete the program

  • To enlist the support of at least three community businesses for the program

  • To enlist 10% more children in the summer reading program than last year

  • To motivate children & teens to read

  • To encourage regular use of the library

  • To have fun and promote positive feelings

  • To attract new users to the library

GOALS:

OBJECTIVES:

REPORTING:

PLANNING

books

Set a number of books a child has to read.  This method may discourage reluctant readers from participating if they feel they can't meet the requirement.  If you want kids to track a number of books, set a realistic low number relative to reading level and age group.

READING CHALLENGE

  • Age/Grade

      (specify recently completed or entering)

  • Contact Phone Number

  • Address (City, Rural)

  • Emergency Contact

  • Allergies and/or Special Needs

  • School

  • T-Shirt Size

  • Photo Release Form

 

REGISTRATION:

  • Percentage of participation

  • Per capita circulation of materials

  • Books read per participant

  • Completion rates

  • Per capita costs

  • Program attendance

visits

Just getting kids into the library can be a challenge.  Set a number of visits or programs attendance to aim for.  Only counting one visit a day ;)  Once kids are actually in the library they can discover all the wonderful materials available to them.  

tasks

A popular trend has been presenting kids with a list of tasks to complete.  Provide more options to choose from than they need to check off.  Tasks can be as varied as reading a graphic novel, attending a program, writing a poem, putting a puzzle together, looking at a newspaper or volunteering.  This helps showcase a library's collection a little more and offers struggling readers other chances to shine. 

pages

Give kids a target number of pages to read.  Let them know it doesn't have to be just one book.  If they start something but don't like it, they can count the pages they tried and select something new.  If the goal was 300 pages that could be 10 different picture books, two or three begginer reading books or one longer novel.  

minutes

Charting the number of minutes read has been a successful option for a lot of libraries.  This puts reluctant readers on a more level playing ground as eager readers as 10 minutes is 10 minutes no matter the progression.  However, this is another goal that is nice to vary based on age or reading level.   

* rewards * incentives *

The CSLP catalog offers theme appropriate and cost effective options for incentives. 

 

A lot of libraries are able to get coupons from local restaurants, zoos and sporting events that make a nice giveaway, just ask around your community!

 

Some libraries are moving away from providing individual cheap prizes to every participant.  Instead, obtain a few larger prizes and allow kids to enter their name into a drawing for them.  

 

"Experience" prizes have been popular such as a movie party at the library chosen by the winner with snacks provided, lunch with a librarian, ride home from school in a cop car, choose a book for the library to purchase with a special nameplate inscription, be the first notified for new movies or choose which community hero gets to wear a hero costume for a day.

 

Folders, pencils, crayons, rulers and glue are items every kid can use for school.  Especially if you serve a large amount of low income families, consider offering school supplies for prizes.

 

Partner with the school districts and see if you can provide a special reward for the class of a winning student such as an extra recess, snack, dance party or an extra special class interruption by a librarian.

 

Once kids complete their goal, let them show off to the world with a yard sign that states, "STAR READER".  It is one way to let kids take pride in their reading and work toward that recognition.  Reuse the signs and stakes by offering a small incentive to bring it back to the library by the end of summer.

 

Summer + Reading + Water=ALWAYS A GOOD TIME

Celebrate with a pool party available to kids that completed their goal. 

 

 

GRAB BAG

DARTBOARD

PRIZE STORE $

LOLLIPOP DRAW

PRIZE WHEEL SPIN

VILLAIN KNOCKOUT

Jazz up the way you distribute prizes.  If you have extra staff time or volunteers, consider adding an extra element to help determine the prize won, or the number of entries they win.  No skill required for wheel spinning, grab bag and lollipop draw.  Dartboard throw and villain knock-out would need a few more rules based on age but could provide extra thrill for older school kids.  Reward kids with reading dollars and let them "purchase" prizes you designate in your store on a certain day. 

 

 

 

The Great Reading Adventure open source software

This is software that you can download to your library server and customize for your library's summer program.  You can get it here.

PROMOTION

Make a list of people and organizations you want to contact. Think about where these people congregate and plan accordingly. Promotional activities should begin before school lets out and include the following:

  • Displaying and distributing posters, bookmarks, stickers, buttons, balloons, and banners

  • Posting info on your library's website and social media sites

    • Upcoming Programs (include links to performers' website or YouTube videos if available)

    • Registration dates

    • Theme related reading suggestions (include links to author's website or book trailers)

    • The CSLP promo video

  • Advertisisng through newspapers, radio, and TV 

  • Decorating your library with bulletin boards, ceiling decor, props, book displays, signs, etc.

  • Visiting the schools and talking to students about the fun things you'll be doing at the library

    • Send home information in the schools weekly take home packets

    • Schedule visits for the school children to come to the library

  • Visiting/Sending information home with special outreach groups

    • Daycare providers

    • City Recreation Department

    • Clubs (4-H, Scouts, Lego League, etc.)

    • Camps

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