[yalsa-bk] COMPILATION_Teen Program Boxes

Compiled by Gayle [atiba1997@hotmail.com]

Hi, Collective Brain. I just attended a state library association convention where I attended a workshop on Storytime Boxes-boxes with books, instructions, materials, etc. for children's storytimes that come ready to go and are passed around between branches for their storytimes. While I was there, it occurred to me that this type of format might work for teen programs. Make boxes to share among branches, each with a different program for teens in it. Have general instructions, any materials needed, suggested snacks, games, etc. in this box to pass around to different branches. Has anyone ever heard of this or done it? If you have, I would appreciate any help you can give me. Or, better still, if it was successful come and teach a workshop to our YAs.

I am not sure if this is what you have in mind, but in response to what our public libraries wanted, the Kentucky State Library created thematic kits for teens (and preschoolers and adults). We do not include “consumables”, but try to provide some supplies that can be re-used. Here is a link to our list: http://www.kdla.ky.gov/collections/books/available_thematic_kits.pdf. We try to add new ones monthly or bimonthly. We package them in sturdy plastic containers called “Action Packers” that Rubbermaid makes & we buy them at our local Wal-Mart. - Alicia McGrath

The Dayton Metro Library system does this. About 3 years ago we required each branch's teen person to come up with at least one YAPKit (young adult programming kit). I think making everyone develop a kit to share helped encourage people to really use them. Some are chiefly directions, most have craft supplies in them. Sometimes they come with everything you need, and sometimes they have the specialized equipment but you'd have to supply the consumable materials. Some people use them a lot, others hardly ever. Some kits have seen very little use, others are used all the time. Some are a complete program, others are more of a craft you would incorporate into a program (I used both Duct Tape and Hershey's Kiss Roses on Valentine's Day, for example.) I think usually the replacement supplies are bought downtown - I know that's the case with the duct tape box. Originally each kit was maintained by the person who developed it, but later we centralized their housing, maintenance, and scheduling, just like the video game equipment. I'm happy to answer any specific questions about how we do it. Here's a list of what we made available: Program Name Bead Crazy Babysitting 101 Greetings from a Box (Card-Making) Customizable Bumper Sticker Crocheted Bookmarks Denim Purse Decorating Duct Tape Euchre Tournament Flip Flop Fun Hands Can Talk (sign language) Hemp Jewelry Hershey's Hugs and Kisses Roses Human Bingo Knitting 101 How to Run an Anime Club Luau Mexican Flowers Scrapbooking Decorative Soap Molding Something Scary This Way Comes Tie-Dye Creations Tie-Dye without the Dye Walking Taco Snacks MYSTERY KITS TO LEND Heavy Metal Kidnapping A Murderous Melodrama The Pharaoh's Curse Cracks in the Wall Rock n' Roll Over Dead ISTR that our first step was to find and buy many plastic boxes that would be large enough but would also fit in the tubs we use for our delivery service. Then we handed them out at a meeting, one apiece, and told them to think of something to put in them! (We committee members gave suggestions and put a couple boxes together before the meeting to demonstrate.) I coordinated what people were signing up to do so we wouldn't have duplication. I think we gave them 3 months to finish compiling their box. I personally probably borrow one kit every two months. It's so nice to not have to do the planning or shopping! - Cindy Simerlink, Teen Librarian

I know Columbus (Ohio) has such a thing. I think Kathy was a contact I used to research this back in August- she was the head of Youth Division. We ran into the problem here of nowhere to store boxes at our Main Library. Some discussion that each Branch might carry a few, but the idea fizzled. Recall that some themes Columbus had were “Comic Book making”, “gardening” “Games People play”. When we came up with our own themes: Duct Tape being first, T-shirt revamping second- we realized that the up front cost to get the supplies, then to upkeep missing scissors and what not could be expensive and then what budget to we take out of to replenish (branch budget, main budget). I hope it is an idea we can re visit, now that we are freezing budget items. Collective sharing is the way to go. - Jennifer Stencel

I made each programming kit using suggestions for programs taken from staff and teens and they circulated to 5 branches and a Main Library. We have the advantage of Teen Employees to help with compiling of ideas and stuffing the kits. Generally, this is how it worked: I solicit program ideas asking for Title / Summary, Basic Instructions, Supplies needed, Tech /space requirements, We then provide program outlines that include Instructions, Supply inventory lists, Consumable, To be Returned, Flier templates, PR suggestions. We then distribute the program outlines to interested locations, Location selects a program they want to host, Writes email requesting kit with date needed and capacity. We locate and buy supplies, stuff the kit and check item out to library, Deliver, Advise of due date. Location uses kit and returns it with an evaluation form., Popular kits at APL: Video game nights (Includes console and requested game & peripherals) Inspiration Association (Includes consumable workbooks, icebreakers, activities, art supplies) Iron Chef (Includes various fun foods) Giftmaking (Crafts that make nice gifts) Beading (Beads, patterns, hardware, tools) Skateboarding (Skate videos, skate magazines, books) Manga Drawing (Art supplies, how to draw books, Anime videos) All kits include refreshments which I'm sure you know are a MUST for Teen Programs. Consider having your training be a workshop to create the framework for a few kits. You could use a World Cafe style discussion to work out the programming ideas and use work groups to fill in the skeleton with the inventories and instructions. Are you aware of how much your regional is willing to spend on kits and training? Initial outlay can be steep, but pays off quickly if the kits are well used. I opted to do most of my staff training myself, saving me a bundle. - Melissa Wasilewski

We do this in my library system (10 libraries). For instance, each summer we doing a Duct Tape Crafts program that will be run by staff. I have created a box of supplies, handouts, copies of instructions, and everything else I can think of that might be useful. Last year someone put in Band-Aids. We have made up a schedule that is also in the box and tells each library where to send it next and what date they need it by. Then we just put the bins (there are two this year actually) into our regular, daily delivery. As long as the program dates are spread out a bit to allow for travel time, it works just fine. And having one person in charge of the preparation saves the time of everyone else. It's not much more difficult to buy $300 of duct tape rather than $20 just for my own branch. It also gives everyone a person to go to when some supply is low, because I know exactly what's in there and where I got it and how much it costs and can replace used up supplies easily. At the end of the summer, the bins will come back to me for storage and reuse. Earlier this year we had a craft program being presented by an outside presenter but the library needed to provide some basic tools (like scissors). So we made up a box of the tools and gave it to the presenter at the first program and he carried it along through the series, and then returned it to us at the end. That worked very well too. I could see this being used for a board game night where the games travel, as well. Anything that could be shared among the libraries having the program. Also, in Colorado, we have a state-wide teen librarians group and it would be decently easy to share something like this across library systems too. More planning, perhaps, with more people involved. Our state library provides a courier system that travels to each library in the state so it wouldn't be difficult to move the box around as needed. Hope this helps! I recommend this method of sharing resources. - Jenna Obee

One of our former librarians attended a program on this – not sure where – but she passed the info on to me. The San Diego County Library did this and they provided their link. (It is called Teen programs in a box, in case you would like to do a search.) - Mary Anne

We have program boxes that are prepared and restocked by our YA Services department. Some of the boxes are Candy Sushi, Bead Jewelry, Cupcake Decorating, T-Shirt Making, Board Games, Origami, etc. Each YA orders what he/she wants and it is drop shipped to the branch with directions and a list of contents. When they are returned, we have to check off what is still left. I have done a variety of boxes each year and it's been great! - Karen Pickard-Fou

My library system implemented Teen Program Boxes last summer, and they've been very popular with all of us YA staff. Since most of the YA specialists in my system are part-time, the program boxes allow them to present fun, interesting programs to teens without having to take a lot of time to put the program together. Basically, each program box contains enough supplies for several programs, along with a binder of instructions and sample publicity materials. - Melissa Rabey

We do this at the Nashville Public Library as well. Currently we have a Wii box, a Nintendo Gamecube, party games (various card and board games), and henna tattoos. Each YA librarian is responsible for a box so no one person has too much to keep up with. - Jessica Piper

I think it’s a great idea, especially if you geared it towards middle and high school teachers as well. I have storytime boxes I circulate to moms, preschool teachers, and home daycare providers. It seems to me that if you made up the same boxes for programs for teens it would work as a great collective memory tool as well. You could have boxes for poetry, fill-in programs for when your scheduled program is late or no-show, etc. It’s a great idea! - Shannon Dailey

I was the young adult services coordinator for my system (34 branches) for ten years. I started making program boxes for teens at Fresno County Library years ago out of budgetary necessity! It is very helpful not to have to purchase multiple scissors, glue sticks, etc. for each branch. I include complete instructions, any take home hand outs for teens, all supplies. We have done everything from sand painting, to tie-dye, to edible derby cars, and much much more! It also helped the generalists and the paraprofessionals provide programming for teens at sites that didn't have a teen specialist yet wanted to offer programming. Provided a poster session on this at the California Library Assocation Conference a few years back. - Kelley Worman