Public Library Program Observation/
Reflection

Jana Phelan

University Of Central Arkansas

Summer II 2015 LIBM 6371

Dr. Rickman

Sebastion County Library
Theme: Every Hero Has a Story

Audience

• Ages four to twelve
• This program was more geared toward the younger age group.
• After interviewing parents it was evident that they were losing the teen readers.
• Around five hundred particapants
• Eight Week Session

Program Activities

• Some of the activities that the program provided are art contests, weekly guessing games, book drawings, weekly story hours, make and take craft times, and a finale party/magic show.
• While observing patrons doing horse art and craft activity after reading a book about horse heroes. Students were engaged and enjoying the activity.
• Students were engaged and enjoying the activity.

Take Away Items/Incentives
As for incentives the students would get stickers and other prizes for reading. If students read five books they would get a smaller prize and after they read ten they would get a larger prize. They used local food merchants to help promote and donate prizes. Such as local pizzerias to give free pizza prizes. If students meet the ten book eight-week program goal they would get an invitation in the mail to go to a magic show at the local recreational center. The goal of only ten books seems pretty easy for the younger ones to accomplish. I think I would set higher expectations for the students.

Reaching The Teen Audience
As stated in young adults and libraries by Michele Gorman these patrons have a whole different criteria that have to be thought about to reach this age group such as relaxing furniture, easier ways to find information in the library in person and online, and programs/promotional events featuring giveaways, food, and fun, teen-relevant activities. It would be very easy to do teen relevant activities for this program such as a higher level reading list about heroes, book discussion groups, activities focused on popular technology, teen friendly prizes and giving these students more ability to have input into the program.

Other OBSERVATIONS

• Collaborative summer library program
• Budget restraints for teen program
• No teen video winner on http://www.cslpreads.org for Arkansas
• According to Lesesne in Making the Match during adolescent development not only are they going through an intense period of physical development but also major emotional development. She states that books can serve as portals to help students see others struggling with similar emotions and feelings and reactions. So we must reach students of this age to succeed in the goal of a lifelong love of reading.

Other Observations continued

• She states that books can serve as portals to help students see others struggling with similar emotions and feelings and reactions. So we must reach students of this age to succeed in the goal of a lifelong love of reading.
• Library doesn't have a website.

References
1.Gorman, M., & Suellentrop, T. (2009). Connecting Young Adults and Libraries. (4th ed.) New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
2.Lesesne, T.S. (2003). Making the Match The Right Book for the Right Reader at the Right Time, Grades 4-12. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers 3. American Association Of School Librarians. (2009) Empowering Learners Guidelines for School Library Programs. Chicago, IL: American
4. Association of School Librarians. Collaborative Summer Library Program. (2015) Retrieved from http://www.cslpreads.org
5. Arkansas State Library. (2011) Summer Reading Program. Retrieved from http://www.library.arkansas.gov