Adult Reading Program/ Winter Reading Program: Summary
Dates: 12/8/99,5:36 PM through 12/8/99,5:36 PM (1 posting)
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Adult Reading Program/ Winter Reading Program: Summary
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FROM: "Shirley" <Shirley@SELCO.LIB.MN.US>
REC'D: 12/8/99, 5:36 PM
Background:
Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) is a federated regional
system in Southeastern Minnesota. The regional office provides support
for the adult reading program in the form of free posters, bookmarks,
stickers, pencils and small speaker's stipend. The regional office also
pools orders for specialty "imprint" items such as mugs, book bags,
etc. Local libraries decide how they can best implement the program-
which is generally conducted from Jan-March/April. The program has been
called "Hot Reads for Cold Nights" for the three years it has been in
existence.
---------------------------------------------------------
Here are some of the neat things the libraries did during last years
program:
Cannon Falls, MN pop.3,723
Cannon Falls reported a successful program in 1999. The program was
wrapped up at the end of National Library Week. In the final count,
Cannon Falls had a 61% follow-through rate, with 47 people earning at
least one prize of the 77 who registered to participate. Cannon Falls
gave out 207 incentive prizes, which were earned for a completed 3-punch
card. Punches could be earned by reading a book, listening to a book on
tape, writing a review of a book/book on tape, coming to book group or
other Hot Reads programs, submitting a poem to the SELCO anthology,
etc. Additionally, Hot Reads pens or pencils were given when they
registered and a calendar was given each week by drawing a name from the
returned punch cards. At the end of the program, the library gave away
2 mugs, 2 book bags, 2 $10 gift certificates for the local book store,
and about a 1/2 dozen prizes given by a local Mary Kay sales rep. -- all
by a drawing from the punch cards.
Book discussions were hosted on alternate Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the
Library. We had from 8 to 18 participants, with some whom attended every
session, and several who picked and chose according to the title and
their schedules, (which was our intent in the way it was set up).
Red Wing, MN pop. 15,854
Red Wing Public Library issued Book Lovers calendars as people
registered for the Hot Reads program. Participants also fill out "Read
& Recommend" cards that are posted for other patrons to view. Hot Reads
door prizes were given out at the following events.
Programs hosted by Red Wing Public Library were:
"Bookworm Turns: an Inside Looks at Book Reviewing" by Dave Woods
"An Evening with Lorna Landvik"
"From Vietnam vet to Author" by Chuck Logan
Poetry Reading with Laurel Winter from Rochester
Members of the library book club are eligible to have dinner with the
visiting author.
Bookmobile
The SELCO Bookmobile also participated in the Hot Reads Program. Over
700 books were logged on reading records ( with a limit of 5 books per
two weeks imposed!). The patrons loved participating and picking up a
package of hot chocolate, popcorn, etc during their visit.
Rochester, MN pop.80,186
Rochester Public Library worked with several local organizations to put
together a event filled calendar.
Michael Czarnecki, Artist-in-Residence with a local school system,
conducted a poetry reading. This program was co-sponsored by the Root
River Poets group who hosted a reception as well..
Rochester Civic Music co-sponsored the appearance of the musical
performing group, "Ensemble Galilei." The group comprised of six women
who play chamber music on early music instruments. They also were
Artists-in-Residence in the Rochester Public Schools during that week.
Rochester Orchestra and Chorale co-sponsored a preview of an up-coming
concert, "Scenic River Cruise." Musical Director, Jere Lantz reviewed
the life of Duke Ellington, the great American jazz musician, whose work
was part of the concert. Musicians from the orchestra performed.
Tickets for the upcoming concert were given as doorprizes.
Doug Shidell author of "Bicycle Vacation Guide: Minnesota & Wisconsin"
presented a program on the bicycle trails in the area. The program was
followed by a bicycle ride on one of the Rochester trails.
LaCrescent, MN pop.4,732
LaCrescent Public Library hosted "After Hours at the Library-Just for
Adults" on the 1st & 3rd Mondays from January through April. The
library is normally closed at this time, but to accommodate the special
presentations- the library was opened for programming. The 1999
schedule was as follows:
Jan - Ship of Dreams- Titanic Presentation
Feb.- Guide book author, Pat Middleton- discussing the Mississippi
River & Mystery of the Female Writer by a local librarian
Mar WWII remembrance with Earl Seaton & Tales & Tunes with singer,
storyteller Ross Martin
April Local History: fact, fiction & lore
Lanesboro, MN pop.850
Lanesboro Public Library conducted the program so patrons could sign-up
anytime between January and March. The participants received a book
bingo card- and then automatically entered into the weekly Book Lovers
Page a Day calendar drawing. Each time a patron "read to a bingo" they
could enter their name into the grand prize drawing. There was no limit
as to how many times patrons could play Book Bingo. Patrons did receive
incentives such has tea & cocoa along the way to their Bingo's. (The
Bingo game card had all listed all types of genre fiction as well as
squares for non-fiction and audio books. Perhaps the "best" square was
"Librarian Recommended!") Lanesboro also issued a poetry quiz entitle,
"Famous First Lines."
An another activity at Lanesboro was the discussion series based upon
Kathleen Norris' book Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith. This four
part series, with panelist from various religious/non-religious
backgrounds cover 4 major areas: 1) Eschatology 2) Image of God 3) Faith
4) Scripture.
This year (Hot Reads 2000) Lanesboro Public Library will host a
discussion series, "The Gospel According To Dr. Seuss." This series
will focus on the following books:
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas in regards to "What is the Christmas
Spirit?"
- Horton Hears A Who in regards to Personhood & Servanthood
- The Butter Battle Book & The Lorax in regards to War/End Times &
Environmentalism & Consumerism.
- Sneetches and Other Stories & Gertrude McFuzz in regards to Hate
Groups and Racism
Northfield, MN pop.15,629
Northfield Public Library encouraged patrons to register in the Hot
Reads program at the reference desk between January 4 and April 24th.
When patrons signed up they received a free gift and a reading log.
After every 4 books, patrons were able to pick a prize. Additional
prizes were given out during the weekly prize drawing. The Grand Prize
was a gourmet dinner in the library catered by the library staff!
Northfield also hosted several programs during the Hot Reads promotion:
á Mystery writers Ellen Hart, RD Zimmerman and MD Lake
Northfield author Len Rado presented his book Growing Up in
Revolutionary Times: A Young Lady's Memoirs of China, 1910-1930.
Poetry Reading & writing workshops
Literature Lovers and the Web
Titanic presentation by Micheal-Jon Pease
Parachute Jumping Mark Baur
Gardening with Pete Asher from UM
Mabel, MN pop.747
Mabel Public Library conducted the Hot Reads Program from March 9- April
20th. In the first year that Mabel conducted the program- over 60
people participated! The library handed out "perks" to everybody who
participated in the program. Patrons who filled in a "My Favorite Book"
slip were entered into special prize drawings. Mabel also hosted a
special program which was poetry reading.
Preston, MN pop.1,535
Preston Public Library had people participate in the reading program by
encouraging adults to fill out a card each visit they made to the
library and had read books. These cards were placed in a big fishbowl
and a name was pulled from the fish bowl each week to determine winners
for calendars and other prizes. To be eligible for the Grand Prize
drawing (Hot Reads Mugs) participants had to read three books or fill
out a book review card. The Book Review card was a simple card that
asked the reviewer to give a short review of the book and indicate on a
thermometer if it was a Hot, Warm or Cold read.
Preston Public Library also works with the local arts group to host "Art
Shows." The group displays art throughout the library and the library
will handle any sales for the art during the length of the show- which
usually last a month. A big sign is placed outside on the sidewalk that
states, "Art Show Today" and the staff report that several new people
have discovered the library through this joint venture.
Dodge Center, MN pop.2,133
Dodge Center Public Library had successful season hosting special
presentations. The library contacted the county extension office and
booked Master Gardner for a presentation. As a result, a gardening club
now meets on regular basis at the library. Other programs hosted at the
library were the Titanic presentation by Micheal-Jon Pease, and a
speaker from the county historical society. To encourage attendance,
Angie sent postcards to board members and library friends listing the
schedule of events.
Harmony, MN pop.1,106
Harmony Public Library began their local program on January 4th and it
lasted until March 31st. During this time the staff encouraged adults
to fill in "Hot Reads" Book Review cards. Over 240 review cards were
filled out during this event! Weekly prize drawings were held for Book
Lovers calendars, book bags and coffee mugs. Smaller prizes such as hot
cocoa, M&M's, tea and popcorn were "won" by people who read three books
or filled out one book review card.
Wabasha, MN pop. 2,566
Wabasha Public Library conducted the Hot Reads for Cold Nights program
from January 19- March 1. The library rewarded "early birds" by
entering their names into a special drawing if they registered by
January 26th. Wabasha also hosted a poetry reading program.
Stewartville, MN pop.5,222
Stewartville Public Library patrons were very enthusiastic about the Hot
Reads Program in 1999. In Stewartville the program was held from
January 4 through February 27th. Ninety-five patrons signed- up for the
program and 10 were male! This almost doubled the registration from
last year. On average the patrons in the program read a book a week
totaling 829 books. When a patron registered for the program they
received a "Book-a-Day Calendar." As patrons read books they could pick
popcorn, pens, M&M's, hot cocoa or tea as a incentive. There was a
weekly drawing for a "Hot Reads" mug and special drawings for
sweatshirts and book bags. To keep it simple for the staff, the patrons
set a goal in the beginning of the program and put an index card in the
file box on the service desk. The patrons then filled in their own
reading record as they returned books. Stewartville also hosted two
special events. During the Hot Reads program, the staff at
Stewartville wrote and posted "Staff Picks." This consists of each
staff member writing a one page summary and recommendation of book that
they would recommend to patrons.
St. Charles, MN pop.3,094
St. Charles Public Library had over 100 people participate in the winter
reading program. To reward "early birds" St. Charles gave a Book Lover
calendar to the first 50 people who completed a read & recommend card.
To register for the program, adults were given a reading card with 4
circles on it. To mark off a circle patrons needed to read 1 book or
listen to 1 audio book, or read three magazines. After finishing the
first circle, participants were received a Mead Memo book log and pen.
Upon completing the first card and each card there after, patrons could
pick out M&M's, popcorn, hot cocoa, etc. The completed cards were put
in for the weekly drawings of book bags and mugs. In addition to all of
these fun prizes one person was chosen each week to the "Reader of the
Week" with a picture and brief interview in the local paper.
Pine Island, MN pop. 2,274
Van Horn Public Library in Pine Island conducted the Hot Reads Program
from February 16 until March 31. The first 25 readers to sign up
received a free Book Lovers Calendar. The library also held weekly
drawings for mugs, shirts, book bags and a Magnetic Poetry Kit.
--------------------
Other libraries also participated- but their program details were not
available.
The calendar that was mentioned is from Workman Pub- and they only cost
$2 (!) 1-800-7222-7202 ext. 7521
Thanks to the list members for all your postings during the past years
and the reading lists that we enjoy using!
ST
--
Shirley Taylor 107 W Frontage Rd, Hwy. 52 N
Regional Consultant Rochester, MN 55901-0343
SELCO 507-288-5513 800-992-5061
www.selco.lib.mn.us fax: 507-288-8697
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