Well, I have just finished the staff workshop. I had to do FOUR presentations on searching online databases for the librarians. The past week has been exhausting. First of all, the workshop was moved up two weeks due to a grant deadline. Then I was sick all of last week. So I was scrambling to get my presentations ready. I worked on Friday, which was supposed to be a holiday. I worked twelve hours on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, the first day of the workshop, I had to go back to work in between presentations to work on stuff for today.
And now I have an interview to go to on Monday.
Here is what I have to do for it: "A short presentation (approximately 10 to 15 minutes) on the development of possible children’s programs."
I am too tired to think of anything. Can any of my smart library friends help me out?
4 comments:
I'm still thinking about this, but I have one suggestion. I'd break down the programming talk into manageable sections...such as by age group or program type. Some age-based programs that are commonly offered at many libraries are:
Babies Laptime (under 1 year) - stories and songs
Toddler Time (1-3 years) - stories, songs, crafts and games
Story Time (3-5 years) - stories, songs, crafts, and games
After School and Saturdays (6-12) - stories, homework help, movie days, craftwork (make your own book, learn beadwork, etc), guest speakers (authors, local heroes), games
Teen Programming - poetry jams, movie nights, game nights, web design and blogging, homework help, instructional courses (ex: university prep), teen volunteer programs/work experience
Family Fun Events - guest speakers, story nights, movie nights, game nights, theme-based festivals (ex: Explore Shakespeare at the Library)
Also, I interviewed a girl who blew me away this week by using theme-based examples when discussing programs. So, if your theme was bugs, you might discuss creating a display of bug theme books (Miss Spider's Tea Party, James and the Giant Peach, Lone Pine bug guides); singing bug-themed songs (ugly bug ball, itsy bitsy spider, ants go marching); watching bug movies (Antz; Bug's Life); creating bug crafts (beaded spiders, pipecleaner antennae); wearing bug costumes; playing games based around a bug theme; etc.
Anyway, that was a lot of information and I'm sure you thought of most of it. I hope at least some of it was helpful!
If you’re talking about “possible children’s programs,” I might first talk about an environment scan: what sort of programs would your library need; who uses your library/doesn’t use your library; what programs have worked/failed; what resources are in your neighborhood, etc. You know—all that community study jazz. But seriously, in the internship position my job has been to make recommendations for/design programs, and my environment scan was invaluable. Based on responses from that scan, I’d then go with what Ash said. Break it up into age groups, and stick with themes—books, music, and crafts/games for that theme.
And I’m sure you’ve seen this from your practicum, but “the library system I work for” puts all of their successful programming ideas online for other branches to read about and choose from—a really easy to follow online form on the staff web. They list: type of program, age group, length, target gender, recommended resources, related URLs, songs/poems/finger plays, puppet/theatre scripts, games/crafts used, who it was submitted by, and what branch hosted that program. Can you get any better than that? It’s one of those neat extras you might throw in… Forward thinking and initiation…
Hey Violette, I have been kind of MIA, sorry, but I think you had ideas from two of the best anyway.
How did the interview go? Where was it? Good luck, I hope they realize just what a fabulous librarian they have in their grasp!
Thanks to ash and library lady for their great suggestions. I think the interview went well, but I'm not even certain I want the job. It's all about location people. But thanks for the support!
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