Tips on creating cost effective stealth/passive and DIY library programming for kids. Content by Amanda Moss Struckmeyer and Marge Loch-Wouters from a May 2012 Wisconsin Library Association WAPL conference presentation.

1. Stealth & DIY
Programming
Success in Challenging
Budget Times

2. Who We Are
DIY Programming
Stealth Programming
Amanda Moss Struckmeyer
Head of Youth Services
Middleton Public Library
astruckmeyer@scls.lib.wi.us
608 827-7407
Marge Loch-Wouters
Head of Youth Services
La Crosse Public Library
marge@lacrosselibrary.org
608 789-8190
Blog: Tiny Tips for Library Fun http
://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com

3. What’s Active Programming
Most traditional programming format
Hosted/led by staff or volunteers
Located on-site or off-site
Occurs at a specific time and place
Encourages increased check-out through book
displays/talking

4. DIY Programming: The Basics
Monthly theme (often seasonal)
Reproducible individual activities
Variety of levels, from pre-K through teen
Available anytime the library is open

5. A Simple DIY Station
Sign or Poster
Acrylic Holder for Instructions
Crayons, Pencils
Ballot Box
Small Book Display
Wall or Bulletin Board Nearby

6. Reproducible Activities
Artistic or creative expression
Writing activity
Literacy or literary appreciation
Mathematical literacy
Booklists

7. Minimizing Pitfalls & Disruptions
Tape down guessing jars filled with treats!
Do occasional sweeps to keep crayons and other
materials from moving around your library
Monitor the station for inappropriate artwork or
language and general maintenance
If possible, keep the DIY station near an area that is
regularly staffed

8. January: Fairy Tales
DIY Activities:
 My Favorite Fairy Tale: Character and Scene
 Create a Magic Carpet
 Create Your Own Fractured Fairy Tale
 Fairy Tale Matching Game
Program Extensions:
 Fractured Fairy Tale Party
 Reader’s Theater
 Fairy Tale Feast
 Lego Build a Castle
 Movie Night

9. July: Ice Cream
DIY Activities:
 Create the World’s Largest Ice
Cream Cone!
 Guess the Height of the World’s
Largest Ice Cream Cone
 Funky Flavors Ice Cream Menu
 Let’s Go Shopping for Ice Cream
Program Extensions:
 Ice Cream Social
 Books & Blenders! (Smoothies,
Shakes, and Floats)

10. Ice Cream Book Display

11. Let’s Go Shopping For Ice Cream

12. The World’s Largest Ice Cream Cone

13. Funky Flavors Ice Cream Menu

14. October: Monsters
DIY Activities
 Monster Motel
 Monster Books
 Make up a Monster Story
 Monster Munchies
 Guess How Many Cookies are in
the Monster’s Cookie Jar
Program Extensions
 Scary Stories Read Aloud
 Beast Feast
 Creature Feature Film Fest

15. Monster Motel

16. Monster Mmmunchies

17. What’s Stealth (or Passive) Programming?
Programs that take some initial planning and set-up
but, once in place, are able to be administered easily
with little ongoing staff time devoted to them.
Encourage return visits to the library without an
active program
Families & youth provide the “power” and activity on
their own time
Encourages increased check-out through incentives
or nature of program

18. SLP is a classic
example of a
stealth program
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-reading-fun-has-begun.html

19. SLP for Babies
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2011/06/doing-summer-thing.html

20. 1000 Books Before
Kindergarten!
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2013/01/1000-books-before-kindergarten-is-still.html

21. Baby Book
Bees
Read more about it:
http://readingwithred.blogspot.com/2013/11/baby-book-bees.html

22. Free-quent
Reader Club
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2010/03/frequent-reader-club.html

23. Smart Cookies Club
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2012/01/cookie-club-goodness.html

24. Undercover Spy Club
Read more about it:
http://brycedontplay.blogspot.com/2013/07/undercover-spy-club-sneaky-social.html

25. Reading is Key Club
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2012/05/reading-is-key-club.html

26. What Happens When You Add Stealth Programming?
In 2011:

We decreased traditional programs 39%

We had 32% fewer attendees at children’s programs

Circulation of all children’s materials increased 10%

Circulation of print children’s materials increased 15%
Read more about it:
http://tinytipsforlibraryfun.blogspot.com/2012/02/thats-what-im-talkin-about.html