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Engaging Educators: A Unique Library Event for Community Connections

Discover how we broke away from the traditional 9-5 to design a special event engaging educators. With factors like high teacher turnover and diverse educational needs, we sought to foster personal connections and increase community visibility. This comprehensive plan included setting goals, developing a budget, and creating an enjoyable atmosphere with food and activities. Following the event, we assessed its success through surveys, showcasing positive outcomes such as new library card sign-ups and community outreach. Join us to learn strategies for planning impactful educator events!

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Engaging Educators: A Unique Library Event for Community Connections

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  1. Thinking outside the 9-5:Designing an event for Educators Erin Zambataro, Senior Librarian—Children’s & Teen Services Caitie Morphew, Children’s Librarian Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Allegheny 412-237-1890

  2. Why we needed to think outside the 9-5 • High teacher turn-over • Large service area • Different types of educators • Break through the email-brain-drain • Stand out from the every day • Engage on an individual level • Foster sharing and listening • Create buzz! Image courtesy of [stockimages] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  3. Event Planning:First Steps • Develop goals • Design the event • Write and present a justification • Justifying the event vs goals • Communicate with administration and seek support • Anticipate and plan for barriers • Develop a timeline and budget • Secure funding

  4. the Event Blueprint • Goals • Create a two-way dialog • Create connections • Increase visibility in the community • Showcase resources and services • Schedule outreach/programs • Sign educators up for Library cards • Impart our relevancy in the 21st century

  5. the Event Blueprint • What would success look like? • Primary goal: target PPS • Attendance of at least 15 • Positive connections • Attendees learn something about the Library

  6. the Event Blueprint “A private, invitation-only showcase of your neighborhood Library’s resources and programs” “You and a guest” • Staffing • Stations • Food • Wine • Raffle and gift bags

  7. Promotion • Creating a guest list: formal and informal educators • School rosters • How many invitations? • Formal invitations • Follow-up • Postcards • Word of mouth • Email campaign • Confirmation email

  8. Logistics • Budget • Invitations, graphics, reprints, station signage • Food, Wine • Giveaways • Staffing • After-hours security • Individual objectives for each guest • Enjoyable experience vs targeted outreach, etc

  9. The Event • 21 RSVPs • 16 educators and 9 guests = 25 attendees

  10. Evaluation: Outcomes • 4 teacher cards • 1 personal library card • Added outreach visits • to a previously unresponsive school • to a special needs classroom • Added weekly library visits/programs from • a 7th and 8th grade weekly summer camp • an afterschool group • Connected a teacher to materials/resources • Gave catalog instruction • Tour to new teachers • Added a series of art programs with a community partner

  11. Evaluation: Post-Event Survey • Survey Monkey • Follow up • What was the most informative part of the evening? • “Information about the teen programs--the concept of the library as more of a social center for teens.” • “Learning about the various different educational programs available for both teens and children.” “I thought the event was wonderful and very informative.” -Ashley Dandridge, Gwen’s Girls “You and your colleagues hosted an event that presented the Library and yourselves in such a positive way; Bart and I enjoyed ourselves a lot. Thank you.” -Meda Rago, FACES: A Children’s Art Collaborative (via email)

  12. Evaluation: Changes for Next Year • Food layout is important! • Send a save-the-date earlier • Don’t discount the lure of SWAG • Tie an incentive into the post-evaluation survey

  13. Thank You! • Erin Zambataro, Senior Librarian--Children’s and Teen Services • zambataroe@carnegielibrary.org • Caitie, Children’s Librarian • morphewc@carnegielibrary.org

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