2012 Library programs

Paid & Free Programs
 2012 has been a busy year, challenged with finding programs interesting enough for our public.  These four were the only paid programs ($400+ each) and the rest were through partnerships with the Health agencies, museums, local businesses, and the community.          


Peter Fletcher is very familiar with libraries and knows how to market himself.  I was quite impressed at how low maintenance this program was. 

Mr. Duffy Hudson was great in this monologue presentation of Edgar Allan Poe, however, the type of program appeared to be not all too familiar with the public.  Because it's a type of program requiring quite sitting and listening, it brought it quite a few of the mature folks who probably appreciate this type of entertainment more.  Not a full house, but certainly appreciated by the attending public.

Opera-Kadabra was marketed for Children's programs and was reported back to me by the children's librarian as a possible adult/family program.  I hired him and was well attended.













Free Programs
The rest of these programs are free, through a partnership allowing exposure and space for the entity providing the program.  The library advertises the library program and provides the space (community room with access to projector and screen, chairs, tables) with an understanding the entity cannot sell services, only provide the information.

A local director saw my "Host a movie @ the Library" poster and asked if he could show his short film that recently won some awards.  I took a look at it and found it appropriate (only 18 minutes) and he brought in a full house of his supporters and the community.  It was really a successful opportunity.  

 Well, the publishers of L. Ron Hubbard came in and wanted to sell their re-published books written by Hubbard.  They looked great, while making no judgment on public interest, I made it clear to them on how to market to libraries and they came up with this professional reader's theater.  Yes, it was professional and I think it would have been a great success, only that one of the actors who welcomed everyone was a little bit overly zealous in directing our attention to the life of L.Ron Hubbard, hence, only 5 attendees:(  I did take advantage of the buy one get one free offer on their books, and so I'll see where the public stands on that.

 Jackpot!  This program was packed.  The Jet Propulsion Lab does free programs and will not charge for travel if within 50 miles or so, and Tustin falls within.  Now, dealing with nerds, they like precision, and so everything had to be done with no surprises.  Program without a hitch.  Will definitely schedule them, if possible, on a quarterly basis.  Free.

 Jenny, the library page, introduced me to Voices of Tustin (a community choir) as an extra curricular activity.  Some serious singing for those who can sing every Tuesday evening at the local high school.  Well, I finally extended an invitation for them to come and sing at Tustin Library as a "practice" run for the real thing.  It was great, another pact house.  Hope they can make room to do it again or a few more times in 2013.  Free.

Love the organ and this musician is great!  However, I wish there were more in attendance.  Perhaps an annual music fest for local musicians?  Free. 

 Mr. Lennon was great.  He was a contact lent from HauntedOC.com.  An upcoming author with a background in ghost investigations.  I explained to him the deal with local authors at Tustin (they don't do well) and that he consider powerpoint and ghostly stories connected with his book.  HauntedOC did a fabulous set up in the room and the room was packed.  Great presentation and program.  Free, he could sell his books there.

Local author, several books published, asked if he could present this program and introduce his books.  Not too many, but enough for the author to be satisfied. 













Maralys Wills is a self promoting author and English professor.  She understands our community and the low interest in book talks, however, she somehow manages to bring in a small crowd as well as handling the sales of her book.











Craft Guild is back for its second season and so far, still working at getting a full house on these programs.  Ladies are great, Friends are great for providing a max of $200 per program for supplies which isn't fully used.  Our arsenal is building.

 K, This is a psychic group from Long Beach.  I thought to give it a try which began great, then later, patrons started reported some "selling" in the program.  Though I do not attend the programs, I do make sure we have an understanding on what goes on, so I had to discuss this feedback with the contact and simplify the library's expectations.  I thanked them for their service as they finished off the year.

  

Just a finance company prospecting - still, they have to present an informative program and then leave their cards for interested listeners

Another company prospecting, however, relevant in the current economy.  Am scheduling her again under Credit repair in order to buy a house.

OMG!  Full class.  We post like a month before.  Apparently the newspaper posted it a few days before and we were inundated with phone calls.  A local resident walked in with his toddler to the library and asked if he could do a digital photography class during his dead time.  Ta daaa, great class, excellent presenter (has taught and owns growing photo company).

This one took some time to nail down.  I sent in a request to the local veterans group if they had any speakers available and they went me Mr. Ivan Bishop.  I spoke with him having more of a general topic and hoping to come up with a specific topic.  Finally, we came up with Sea Power.  As he was not familiar with technology, I worked with him.  It was very easy and I think he was impressed with his presentation.  He came dressed in his uniform and etiquette, welcomed everyone in from the front entrance.  It was great, fully supported by his friends and some in the community.

Free computer classes at the Library, offered by volunteers in the community.  What a way to do it!  Since we're short staffed, the community does step in just for a couple hours to share their talents and expertise.










After surfing the web for speaker guilds in Southern California, I found this and Tustin is a garden city.  They asked for a $100 honoraria, if possible, and were very easy to work with. 

  

Social Security has a bunch of topics for their speakers guild, however, it seems as of late, they're short on speakers perhaps because they've been laid off or something.  Anyways, they're not very popular, but topics are essential for the retiree and disabled.  It's one of those things you drag your feet to because you know it's important, and end up still procrastinating.

    

 

We had 2 UNA events because we gave them a free space to offer their programs.  They were very organized and the topics were very well presented.  The relationship program received rave reviews from patrons who attended.  The presenter just happened to see the poster inviting the public to present programs and she asked about it.  After vetting her, we found she had a Masters in counseling and was certified life coach.  The Science Talk happened to be a walk in.  A mother who was housing this professor wanted him to present somewhere and I negotiated with her the library terms.  It's interesting how much our Tustin public attends these scientific and educational events.




An assistant professor wanted to market her class and did a wonderful museum program while another was a return program which garnered pubic interest.  Our local Bowers Museum are always looking for opportunities to utilize their volunteer docent speakers.  Their topics are great, but presentation wise they need a little more excitement.  A few of them were really comfortable with public speaking, the topic, and use of technology.