Readers Advisory  
RSS
Threads [ Previous | Next ]
Adult Summer Reading - 2007
Adult Summer Reading - 2007
8:57 PM EDT 3/22/07
Summer is fast approaching and I need an Adult Summer Reading theme. I'm hoping some creative librarian or other library staff will share their best summer reading programs with the rest of us.

For several years now I've thought about doing a beach blanket bingo theme but can never quite get it together. I envision this as a bingo grid with genre related squares. Each time a patron reads a book from that genre they get to cover the square. When they get a bingo they will get a prize (some small trinket). The winning bingo cards could be then entered in a drawing for an end of summer prize. Or a bigger prize could be given for covering their whole card... Has anyone done anything like this and if so, can you share your details?

I always include a bulletin board to post reviews of books read as part of the adult summer reading. This is popular and our patrons would miss it. To keep with the theme (if I do the bingo) I would somehow make the review cards look like a bingo card or a beach blanket or something like this.
Re: Adult Summer Reading - 2007
10:02 AM EDT 4/2/07 as a reply to Carol Kubala.
We'll be doing a "travel theme" this year. We've got an author lined up (as usual).

I expect we'll be encouraging library patrons to mail postcards to the library for a display.
Re: Adult Summer Reading - 2007
11:14 AM EDT 4/2/07 as a reply to Bob Watson.
I like the Bingo theme. It sounds like it would work very well.

We have always done what we call The BookLovers Club... this year, we are doing a travel theme as well.

I like the postcard idea and may just steal this idea if you don't mind.

We are going to hand out a global reading list (books from around the world or written by authors around the globe). We are also going to show movies such as Water for Chocolate -- based on a book set in another land.

We have some global entertainment booked... The Kane Sisters (Irish Fiddlers) and some Brazilian music and are looking for a 3rd act to round it out.

Instead of prizes, we are doing a Book Brunch for those who complete the requirements.
Re: Adult Summer Reading - 2007
12:01 AM EDT 4/4/07 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
I love the idea of a book brunch. Tell us a bit more....what will you be serving? who gets to come?, etc.
Re: Adult Summer Reading - 2007
10:06 AM EDT 4/4/07 as a reply to Carol Kubala.
We will be handing out a "Passport to Summer Reading" and points will be awarded for different activities (ie/ 2 points for reading one of the books from the global reading list, 5 points for each review submitted to the online catalog, etc.). Once a person has reached 25 points, they will be given an invitation to the Book Brunch which will be held on a Sunday morning on our terrace. We have a local coffee shop who will be donating the coffee and a local bakery is donating croissants, muffins, etc. We will buy some fruit salad and anything else that is not donated. We are planning on having some music -- perhaps someone playing guitar or piano. The ideas are not firm yet, but the plan is in motion.

Actually, we are working on doing something very unique with our summer reading club but I can't reveal the details quite yet... I need to make sure it is going to happen. I will update when I can!
Re: Adult Summer Reading - 2007
10:15 PM EDT 4/4/07 as a reply to Janie Hermann.
Ohhhh, I just love the mysteriousness of your plans. Do let us know when they are firm.

I may have to steal your brunch idea...sounds great.

In your reply you mentioned points for posting a review to the online catalog. I have always wanted to have reviews as part of the opac. What circ system are you using? Where can I view your reviews? How successful is this program? I'd like to start this as a new topic so if you would like to respond to this please start a new topic for Book Reviews as part of Online Catalogs or some such.
Re: Adult Summer Reading - 2007
12:00 AM EDT 4/4/07 as a reply to Bob Watson.
We did a travel theme a few years ago and it worked out very well. Using a large US map, we pin pointed the location of every book read by our patrons. Our "postcards" were in the form of "wish you were here" shaped review cards. Each time a patron read a book they would fill out a review on one of the postcards and post it to our bulletin board. Each year we have had a summer review board, no matter what the theme of our summer reading. This has always been the most popular aspect of each years' program. People love the opportunity to read comments and reviews of what others are reading.
Thanks for sharing and good luck with your program.