Identifying Local Program Resources

Here are several good, general ideas for finding program resources in your local communities. (Excerpted from 2007 ALA Conference Workshop, "Ideas for Working on a Shoestring Budget", presented by Lori Wilcox and Kelley Nichols, children's services coordinator and director, respectively, at branches of the Chicago Public Library.)

• Ask friends and associates (police, cooks, driver's ed teachers, artists, dance instructors, chess players, astronomers, collectors, mechanics, etc.) who have interesting skills/hobbies to present teen programs for free in exchange for publicizing their names and good works.
• Ask politicians for favors during campaigns "when they're in the mood for giving" to get good press.
• Create a generic template for brochures that makes it simple to change text and a photo each time you need printouts for a new program.
• Always have popular programs on the same day each week or month. Consistency keeps people coming back without needing publicity each time.
• Collaborate and trade services within the community. The presenters gave space to a dancer without a studio in exchange for her opening her classes to young patrons.

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