Thursday, October 1, 2009

Passive Programming

How do we continue to engage and connect with teens between programming?
In what ways can they actively interact with the library on a daily basis?

Passive programming is one avenue to enrich teen library use.
Here are some ideas:
  • Make displays of favorite authors, season or holiday themes and library events.
  • Showcase student artwork or examples of what teens completed during a program.
  • Have a contest in which students can submit answers and have their name put into a drawing.
  • Change the decorations, signs and new book area.
Example of a contest:
For National Library Card Sign-Up month in September I had a contest. I put a sign on the end of a shelving unit that explained a little about the event and asked teens to submit ways that they use their library cards. The tagline was "100 Ways to Use Your Library Card" An envelop held the answer papers, the teens gave them to the checkout worker and put their name in the drawing box.
This activity only required me to make up the display, put out a drawing box, hang the answers every few days and then draw a name at the end of the month.

Many students saw the display and came to ask what the drawing was about. It provided opportunities to talk with teens, point them towards the new books and tell them about the upcoming monthly program.

Display:
For Banned Book Week I covered 2 dozen banned or challenged books with brown or white paper. I then made up a small sign with a "Caution do not enter" picture that read, "I am a banned/challenged book because..." I then listed why the book was banned and wrote, "Who am I?" This sign was taped to the front of the book and when lifted the book's title and author was revealed. I chose books that the teens are most likely familiar with and made sure to include a nonfiction and "j" book to show that teen and adult books are not the only ones to be challenged.

These books were then displayed  in the front of the teen section with caution tape strung over the shelves. I included information about banned books, the top 10 challenged books of 2008 and a Banned Book Week poster.

I took pictures of the display and posted them on our Facebook page. Done!
Easy and it teaches the teens something new.


Please share some of your own passive programming successes! Pictures are always helpful!

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