Partnership Based Summer Reading Programs
Donald Colon
LSC 531
Prof. Renee Hobbs
Spring 2015
Partnership Based Summer Reading Program
I. Program Overview
A partnership based summer reading program is a grouping of partnerships between the John Curtis Free Library, local businesses, non-profits, civic groups, and municipal departments (including the schools and Council on Aging). These partnerships will offer diverse programs for teens and tweens ages 11 and up.
The goals of this program are to:
o Encourage literacy and creativityo Develop a sense of community for teenso Encourage further program subject researcho Offer diverse programming to include various demographicso Enhance skills of teens and tweenso Provide social experiences for teens and their peers
The inclusion of these groups into the programming of the library provides opportunities for these partners to meet and interact with teens and tweens (potential consumers and group members) and promote their organizations.
A focus of the programming will be based upon STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics. This focus will assist teens in their academic and recreational pursuits.
II. Selecting Partners
Opportunities will be provided to various groups and organizations to participate in this partnership based summer reading program. There are some guidelines to partnering with the library for these programs.
Guidelines:
Must be a local group, organization, business, town department in the community (or bordering town communities)
Be able to provide programming appropriate for tweens and teens
Provide programming at no cost to library or attendees
Be able to do program within allotted schedule time (mid-July to mid-August)
Programming must be all to all teens and tweens regardless of abilities or limitations
Must share a common commitment in the betterment of teens and tweens in the Hanover community
Prior to the planning of the summer reading program, possible partners will be contacted via mail with an informational request about participating. Professional library staff will discuss the theme and the possible ideas and recommendations for programs and possible partners.
III. Request Letter Example
Donald ColonReference/Teen LibrarianJohn Curtis Free Library534 Hanover StreetHanover, MA 02339781-826-2972
[Organization info]
[Date]
Dear [Organization Representative]:
Each year the John Curtis Free Library offers programming and events to support literacy, creativity, and knowledge seeking by youth ages 11-18. This programming is incorporated into our annual summer reading program.
The library is looking to partner with other businesses, groups, and organizations to present programming that will help enrich the youth in our community. The staff and library are excited to offer this opportunity to your organization. Support from your organization will be highlighted in marketing and promotional items (in print and online).
Details about program topics, scheduling and requirements can be discussed further.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Feel free to contact me at 781-826-2972 or at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Donald W. ColonReference Teen Librarian
IV. Selected Partners and Program Promotional Materials 2015
o Boy Scouts
o Survival Skills programming (Hunger Games themed)
o Class time 1 ½ hours
o Will teach teens and tweens about outdoor survival skillso Finding watero Eating edible plantso Building sheltero Make a fire
o Program will be first held in the large meeting room of the library and then the youth will be taken outdoors and taken through nearby walking trails.
o Limit of 20 attendees
o Earth/Natural Science skills are taught.
o Lorraine’s Bakery
o Cupcake Decorating
o Class time 1 ½ hours
o Lecture and hands on activities of making various frostings; using cake decorating tools to decorate cupcakes.
o Limit of 12 attendees
o The space for this program will be in the Children’s programming room due to easy clean up.
o Arts and Mathematics skills are taught.
o Hanover Council on Aging
o Intergenerational Technology Expo
o Class time 2 hours
o Teens instruct seniors about technologies and digital media; iPad, Nook, Kindle, iPhone, Apps, Windows
o Held at Council of Aging Senior Center
o Limit of ten teen instructors
o Technology skills are taught and reinforced
o Hanover High School Engineering Department
o 3D Printing Program
o Program time 2 hours
o Engineering teachers from Hanover High School lecture about Computer Aided Drafting and using it when working with 3D printers. Teens will be instructed on how to use a 3D printer and will be given an opportunity to create an item.
o Held in large meeting room of library.
o Limit of 20 attendees
o Technology, Art, and Mathematics skills are taught
o Home Depot
o Bird House Building
o Program time 1 ½ hours
o Teens will be taught safety guidelines for using hand tools; woodcutting, measuring, and nailing skills will be used to build a bird house.
o Held at local Home Depot store
o Limit of 12 attendees
o Mathematics and Engineering skills are taught.
o Whitman Wellness Center
o Teen Yoga
o Program time 1 hour for 4 weeks
o Teens will learn basic Yoga and breathing techniques from a licensed yoga instructor.
o Limit of 25 attendees
o Held in large meeting room of library
o Health and Physical well-being skills are taught.
o Girl Scouts
o Theatrical Presentation of Little Women
o Program time 1 ½ hours
o Teens will be exposed to a live representation of this literary classic by Louisa May Alcott; for some of the teens it is a required reading title.
o Up to 100 attendees allowed
o Held in large meeting room of library
o Literacy skills and interpretations are taught.
o Masons
o Teen Author Talk
o Program time 1 ½
o Members of the local Masonic Lodge will be sponsoring an author visit from a yet to be determined teen author. Teens will have the opportunity to listen to the author discuss current works, purchase autographed copies, and learn about self-publishing.
o Unlimited attendance
o Literacy skills are taught.
o Hanover Recreation Department
o Makerspace Day
o Program time 4 hours
o Teens from the Hanover Recreation Departments summer program will be invited to attend this library sponsored program. Teens will be exposed to 3D printing, woodburning, crafting, glass etching, and more.
o Unlimited attendance
o Held in large meeting room of library
o Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics skills are taught.
V. Other Partners
While some organizations or groups that are asked to conduct a program at the library as a partner may be unable to do so. However, they are able to contribute in another form through donations.
o Creative Writing Group o Supplies donated by Staples
o Legos for Teenso Donated by The Toy Box toy store
o Game Dayo Prizes donated by FYE and Newbury Comics
o Movie nightso Popcorn donated by Patriot Cinemas
VI. Marketing and Promotion
After partners have been selected and the program details have been worked out. The events must be marketed and promoted heavily to ensure high attendance and aware of the program. Also this demonstrates to our partners that we are attempting to value our partnership and work long term with them.
Publicity information about programs will be distributed at the library with summer reading signups. Also inhouse signage will highlight the programs and our partners. News articles will be submitted to the local newspaper, The Hanover Mariner, along with the regional newspapers, The Patriot Ledger and The Brockton Enterprise. Information will be sent to the local cable access company for postings on cable television. Events will be highlighted on the John Curtis Free Library’s Facebook page and on its website.
Individual programming flyers are included with scheduling information omitted until confirmed by partners.
VII. Conclusion
It is essential that libraries partner with local groups to ensure not only their standing in the community but to help improve the sense of community with our teens. By partnering with various groups and offering a selection of programs, teens are able to express their feelings and thoughts through creative outlets. Partners should be selected based upon criteria that the library feels is necessary and serves the youth well. The partnerships allow for local businesses, groups, and organizations to promote themselves in the community and validate their importance there as well.
Fans of Hunger Games
Join us on Friday ____________ 2015 at 2:30 p.m. for a special program here at the
John Curtis Free Library.
Members of Hanover Boy Scout Troop 38 will be presenting a
program on survival skills such as the one’s Katniss used in the
Hunger Games series.
Learn how to:
Find waterBuild a shelter
Start a fireEat edible plants
Register at the Reference Desk or by calling 781-826-2972.
This will be an indoor and outdoor activity so please dress comfortably for the weather.
Cupcake Decorating
Join Lorraine from Lorraine’s Bakery for this informational and fun class on how to decorate cupcakes. This program for teens will teach you how
to make various frostings and what decorating tools to use to get that perfect cupcake look you are going for!
Mark your calendars for Saturday ______________________ 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the large meeting room.
There is a limit of 12 teens so please register early. You may do so by stopping in at the Reference desk or by calling 781-826-2972.
Intergenerational Tech Time @ the Hanover Council on Aging
in partnership with the John Curtis Free Library
Seniors are welcomed to stop by the Hanover Council on Aging on Tuesday ____________________2015 at 11:00 a.m. for hands on
instruction about various computer and technology devices.
Take this opportunity to learn about these technologies from the experts, the TEENS in our community!
Learn about ten different technologies!
No registration is required and the program is free.
3D PRINTING @ JCFL
Saturday _________2015 at 11:00 a.m.
Interested in learning about CAD?
Seen news stories about 3D printers and now you’re curious?
Signup for this program at the John Curtis Free Library. Members of the Engineering Department from Hanover
High School will instruct teens on these new technologies. Space is limited.
Register at 781-826-2972 or by stopping by the Reference Desk.
The John Curtis Free Library is for the birds!
Be part of a bird house making program hosted by
Teens will learn safety guidelines about using hand tools and make attractive fun birdhouses.
Saturday ________________, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.
Space is limited. Please register at the Reference Desk
Please note: This program will be held at the Home Depot on Route 139 in Hanover; not at the library.
BEND, STRETCH, BREATHE
Your way to the John Curtis Free Library for a free four week Yoga program hosted by the
library and presented by Becky from the Whitman Wellness Center.
This program will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning on ___________, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Mats will be provided. No registration is necessary. This program is for teens ages 12 and up.
For more information please stop by the Reference Desk.
Hanover Girl Scout Troop 15 will be presenting a performance of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
performance for teens required to read the book for their summer reading.
Join us on Saturday _____________, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the large meeting room at the library. Refreshments will be served. No tickets are necessary.
For more information contact Donald Colon, the Reference and Teen Librarian at 781-826-2972 or by emailing
Teen Author VisitThrough the generosity of the members of the Masons of Hanover, MA a teen author visit has been scheduled for Wednesday
________________ 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Attending teens will have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of books, hear a
discussion about current works and a lecture on self-publishing. For more
information contact the Reference Desk at 781-826-2972.
Summer Program, join us at the John Curtis Free Library
_______________, 2015 from 10 to 2 in
the large meeting
Curtis Free Library.