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1. Lesley Williams Head of Adult Services Evanston Public
Library Library Programs for Grown-Ups
2. A bit about the Evanston community: Population: 74,486 39.7%
non-white Hispanic pop. has grown 91% since 1990 20% high income,
19.7% low income 37% have advanced degrees 11.6% high school or GED
Home to Northwestern University
3. History of Programming at EPL Previously handled by Friends
of the Library. Not free Primarily literary, played to a limited
audience Later, programs tended to be from the library circuit, not
especially fresh or targeted to Evanston community
4. Challenges to Public Programming Perceptions: for seniors
and six year olds Competition: like Iowa City, lots going on in
community. How much is library programming needed? Money (of
course). Many library program regulars charge exorbitant fees.
5. Essential Questions: What needs arent being met that Library
programs could fulfill? What populations (ages, ethnicities, life
stages) arent being served? Who can we work with?
6. EPLs Approach Limit the number of fee based programs Focus
on community resources: local nonprofits, local authors, university
community, business community Provide original programs targeted to
Evanston, not duplicating neighbors
7. Programming Partners Northwesterns Science societies Kaplan
Humanities Institute Local and specialty bookstores Interfaith
organizations Political and advocacy organizations Service
fraternities and sororities Local park district
8. Winners of Scientific Images contest discuss their
projects
9. Art History Professor Huey Copeland lectures
10. Our Focus Areas Community issues and discussion Ethnic
diversity Slow Books and New Authors Business, Career and Financial
support
11. Community Issues Announced willingness to partner with any
local nonprofit for up to 6 programs per year Open to
controversies: politics, sex, the Middle East Pros local group does
much of the publicity, controversy generates media interest. Untold
Stories, Neighbors for Peace and Evanston Republican Party
12. Untold Stories: We Skype with Gaza
13. Israel-Palestine series
14. Yes, we talk about SEX in the Library!
15. Ethnic Diversity Latino Outreach Muslim Journeys 11 Months
of African American History
16. FIESTA 2011! Celebrate Latin@ Heritage Month
www.epl.org/latinoheritage Cuentos de Cuba Thursday, 9/22 at 7pm
Community Meeting Room Cuentos de Cuba El jueves, 9/22 a las 7 de
la noche Cuarto de la Comunidad
17. Slow Books Mission Impossible August Wilson series One Book
One Northwestern Local Authors
18. 3 Authors Programs: Leg up for new local authors
19. Discussing August Wilsons Gem of the Ocean
20. Teen and Adult crossover Cory Doctorow speaking at EPL,
October 2012
21. Business, Career and Financial support Can be most
challenging to get participants (library not typically viewed as
expert) Partnerships with trusted organizations are key NextChapter
program YWCA and WorkNet MoneySmart Week
22. NextChapter and Worknet: small business and jobs
23. Scheduling Tips Series work better than standalones Know
the communitys events Check the football schedules!
24. Thoughts on Marketing Recognize that you are not a marketer
or a graphic designer: get help! Avoid the library ghetto in local
media Identify where your audience gets its news. Church? Rotary
club? School newsletters? Social service agencies? Enlist your
presenters and partner organizations
25. Final thoughts No typical library program Provide whats
missing, not more of the same Be bold, not bland.
26. Lesley Williams [email protected] 847-448-8630
www.epl.org facebook.com/evanstonpubliclibrary Thanks!!