1. society
2. teens

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Self-Directed Pro
Megan England, Atlantic City Free Public Library
Sue Grotyohann, Monroe Township Library
Sandi Cronce, Willingboro Public Library
The BAD word
Passive?
nope nope nope
SELF-DIRECTED!
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Wh
You might want to try self-directed
programming if…
● Traditional programming numbers are always
low, or are in decline for any reason.
● You have really over-committed teens who have extracurriculars every day of the week.
● Your teens have transportation issues, or your library is
inconvenient for public transportation.
● You feel like trying something new!
The Benefits
● Overcommitted teens with busy lives or
transportation issues don’t get left out
● Staff who can’t get off the desk can still provide
stellar programming
● Programs can help promote
library initiatives (e.g. Teen
Facebook Page)
● Your statistics look great!
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Typ
● In-house circulating items
● Teen lounge video games/board games
● In-library or online bulletin board
discussions/activities
● Contests
● Take-home kits
○ Crafts
○ Science Experiments
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Atlantic City Fre
Librarian
Megan England, Teen
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Teen L
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New kits every
month
20-30 kits
All supplies provided
except basics like
glue, pens, etc.
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Teen L
Voting -- Questions -Feedback -- Polls -ANYTHING INTERACTIVE!
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Monthly M
Martin Freeman
approves of selfdirected learning!
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Displays, C
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Voting
Submissions
Contests
Competition
Brackets
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Monroe Townshi
Services
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Sue Grotyohann, Refe
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Teen Take
“Brand” created in 2011
Grown from monthly to
~ 20 per year
Boxes: www.papermart.com
When I run out of boxes, or the parts
won’t fit, I use zipper seal bags.
Advertising
•Bulletin board
•Flyer
•Shelf stand by new books
•Shelf stand by pickup location
(Reference Desk)
•Shaking the basket
at stray teens
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Poster
•Posters use the
take-out “brand”
•Samples may be real or
photocopied
Sample Crafts
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Summer Seashell Wreath
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Tropical Locker Frame
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Glam Coin Canister
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Own the Night Switch Plate
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What’
Catchy titles rule!
Lush descriptions help too
Marketing is half the battle
Winter Words Journal
& Pi Day Apple
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Co
S&S Worldwide &
Discount School Supply
● Cinco de Mayo Mexican “Bark”
Painting
● Rainforest Sun Catcher
● Cute Critter Door Hanger
● March Winds Wind Chime
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Cli
● Display poster on a clipboard
● Display craft sample with
basket of instruction sheets
● Poster & instructions are
branded with tiny clipboards
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Answer all suggestions (almost all!)
Post in a frame
Change often (my failing!)
Teens LOVE to be heard!!!
Great ideas are born here!
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Self- directed programming is NOT an excuse to operate in
absentia, NOT a way to get out of interacting with your
teens, NOT a way to inflate stats. It is intended to offer an
alternate path into their busy lives, and to show them that
you care enough to work around their needs. Point-ofservice contact is a critical component, a way to touch their
lives. That’s why I chase them down and rattle the craft
basket!
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Willingboro
th Services
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Sandi C
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Promotion
●
the Teen Facebook Page
● Vote for Your Favorites in the Garden State
Teen Book Awards
Contests
● Name that Shredded Book
● Halloween Guestimation
● Holiday Mad Libs
● Cryptograms
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Reading/Writi
● Book Review Drawing
● Tweet That Book!
● Best original Haiku
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Your Quest
Megan England
Atlantic City Free Public Library
mengland@acfpl.org
(609) 345-2269 x3052
Sandi Cronce
Willingboro Public Library
scronce@willingboro.org
(609) 877-6668
Sue Grotyohann
Monroe Township Library
sgrot@monroetwplibrary.org
(732) 521-5000