How to promote and evaluate programs

Promote your programs in a wide variety of locations and manners.

While word of mouth proves to be the best advertising, you should employ at least a few of the following techniques:

• Calendars – Create a monthly library of events with expanded information and

library news on the back to distribute in-house and, if possible, by mail to specific groups and individuals.

• Bulletin boards - Post information in various locations throughout the library.
• Posters – Hang posters at front entrance, in stairway, elevator, etc.
• Flyers – Have available for in-house pick up, stuffed in checked-out books, or distributed at other agencies or locations
• Talk with staff at other agencies and get information into their publications if possible.
• Target groups – Speak at meetings and in-services, man a booth at an event, get space in regular programs or publications.
• Press release - Fax, e-mail, or mail basic information including who, what, where, when and why under the heading “For Immediate Release” and include contact information.

Evaluate your programs regularly using one or more of the following methods:

• Listen to parents as they talk to you and one another and engage them in conversation.
   
• Create an evaluation for special workshops, programs or events to gain feedback for future presentations that asks questions like:
  • Where/how did you hear about event?
  • Were day and time convenient?
  • If not, what would be better?
  • How appropriate did you find materials?
  • Did you have a library card before attending our program?
  • As a result of our programming do you plan to use the library regularly?
  • Would you recommend our programming to other parents?
  • Other comments:
     
• Create and distribute in-house an annual formal questionnaire asking:
  • What program day/time are most convenient for your family? - Circle as many as apply (provide days of week and morning, afternoon, evening).
  • What programs do you attend regularly?  - Circle as many as apply (list).
  • What programs would you attend if they were offered on a different day?
  • Is there any programming not currently offered that interests you?
  • Would you recommend our programming to other parents?
  • Would you be interested in and use a take home list of materials, songs and fingerplays?
  • Other comments or suggestions:

Keep solid records or statistics of your programming.  Include numbers and narrative when possible. Statistics are very important both in identifying and defining need and gaining funding support for continuing or expanding services or collection.

Monthly, quarterly and annual reports are a good system for tracking programming. 

By keeping regular records you are able to track trends, peak and valley service times, note special anomalies, etc.  Schedule and record results of each program on a monthly calendar that is purchased specifically for this purpose as mentioned earlier, then at the end of each month, tally up by type of program. A sample monthly report would look something like this:

October 2002 Children’s Services Report,  (Readland) Public Library

Using the monthly totals, create a quarterly report from the end of month tally’s including a small amount of extra information to explain or enhance the numbers.  Finally, sum up the year in an annual report where the data is not simply presented in numbers but is qualified through narrative. With the annual report, planning and goal setting for the following year can also be attached.

Do not forget anecdotal data such as positive comments from participants, news coverage, notes and drawings from children, etc.  This information should be kept as well and may be included in a quarterly or annual report.  Similarly, listen carefully to and take seriously, constructive criticism or suggestions from parents or others in the community about offerings.

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