Think Big: A Resource Manual for Library Programs That Attract Large Teen Audiences is a how-to manual for librarians who want to attract large groups of teens to their libraries with meaningful, memorable events. Large programs may seem to be impossible to attempt until the project is broken down into the separate parts needed. Think Big begins with those separate parts necessary to create a large event, starting with the logistics of time and place, the budget and how to find funding, making a timeline to make everything fall into place, communication among all of the people involved, marketing to the teen audience, troubleshooting with thorough preparation, and the importance of evaluations for reporting and for future planning. Part 2 is a collection of best practices. Seventeen successful, large programs are included, contributed by librarians who have dared to think big and made it work. Included are the book and author programs in school and public libraries. There are also creative programs about poetry and dance, STEM activities, pop culture, and school and work. Every section has two to four programs. Each program explains how the program began and evolved to the event it is today. A timeline, how the program was financed, who assisted to make every step successful, how the program was publicized, and how evaluations were collected and written are provided in detail to empower a librarian to tackle their first-time big program.
RoseMary Ludt has written and edited for the young adult librarian audience for nearly twenty years, working for Neal-Schuman Publishers, Kurdyla Publishing LLC, and American Library Association. She has been the editor-in-chief of VOYA Magazine for almost ten years and is a former editor for VOYA Press and YALS Journal.
DedicationAcknowledgementsList of FiguresForeword by Pam Spencer HolleyPrefacePart I Thinking about Big Teen ProgramsChapter 1 Think Big about Logistics! Chapter 2 Think Big about Building a Budget!Chapter 3 Think Big about Creating an Event Timeline!Chapter 4 Think Big about Communication with Your Collaborators and Attendees!Chapter 5 Think Big about Marketing! contributed by Angela HurshChapter 6 Think Big about Troubleshooting!Chapter 7 Think Big about Evaluations!Part II The Big ProgramsChapter 8 Big Programs about Books and AuthorsGreater Rochester Teen Book Festival contributed by Olivia S. Durant, Nazareth College of Rochester, New YorkBuild it BIG: The North Texas Teen Book Festival contributed by Rose Brock, Ph.D., Dallas/Fort Worth, TexasSharing the Spotlight: School Author Visits contributed by Timothy HoranTeen Author Festival contributed by Rebecca Greer, SouthShore Regional Library, FloridaChapter 9 Big Programs about Arts and Music Oakland Youth Poet Laureate contributed by Peggy Simmons, Oakland Public Library, CaliforniaMonster Bash contributed by Rebecca Greer, SouthShore Regional Library, FloridaTeen Center Prom contributed by Frieda Toth, Crandall Public Library, New YorkChapter 10 Big Programs about STEMSTEM Night @the Library contributed by Brittany Chavez and Katie Allen, Garland County Library, ArkansasKnowlympics contributed by Lise Fortier, Saskatoon Public Library, Saskatchewan, CanadaChapter 11 Big Programs about Pop CultureLibrary Comic Con contributed by Rebecca Greer, SouthShore Regional Library, FloridaMay the Fourth Be with You contributed by Michala Sage, Henderson County Public Library, Kentucky Star Wars Day contributed by Christina Getrost, Nancy Messmore, and Gretchen Quinn Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, OhioThe Quiddich Games: May the Snitch Be Ever in Your Favor contributed by Michala Sage, Henderson County Public Library, KentuckyChapter 12 Big Programs about School and WorkTeen Internships contributed by Erin Shaw and Jennifer Thompson, Brooklyn Public Library, New YorkSummer Job Fair contributed by Alisha Polkowsky, Irmo Branch Library of the Lexington County Public Library System, South CarolinaFinals Café contributed by Tegan Beese, Lake Villa District LibraryACT/SAT Prep Programs by Sarah Wright, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OhioAbout the ContributorsAbout the Editor
Think Big represents the compassionate and professional beating heart of YA programming. Built on a foundation of extensive field practice and wide-ranging supportive resources it advocates youth-led, technology-infused, and professionally-informed ideas for librarians north, south, east, and west; in public or school environments; and from program inception to outcomes-based evaluation.
