Family Literacy Night for the
Community
Pioneer Central School District Librarians:
Elizabeth Brisky, Stephanie Kosmerl, Maria
Muhlbauer, Kristina Pierce
Selecting a Presenter & Theme
What came first…the presenter or the
theme?
 In 2012, we first selected a theme, and then found a speaker
that fit the chosen theme.
 In 2013, we decided on a speaker and then picked a theme
around that person.
Choosing a speaker
 Questions to ask yourself:
 Does the speaker relate to curriculum?
 Will it be entertaining to a range of age groups?
 Does the person or group lend itself to a theme?
Choosing a theme
 Questions to ask yourself:
 Does it relate to curriculum?
 Does it fit?
 What activities could we have that relate to the theme?
Family Reading Night 2012
April 27, 2012
“Planting the Seeds of Knowledge”
Event Details
 Date: April 26th, 2012 (Arbor Day)
 Theme: being “green,” nature/environment
 Motto: “Planting the seeds of knowledge”
 Presenter: Hawk Creek Wildlife Center
Presenter
Hawk Creek Wildlife Center
 Located in East Aurora, NY
 A not-for-profit
educational outreach and
raptor rehabilitation facility
 Offers numerous
educational programs
http://www.hawkcreek.org/
Bringing it all together
 Hawk Creek held two forty-five minute sessions on making a
difference in the environment and included several live
animals.
 The high school Agriculture department donated saplings to
give away to attendees.
 Numerous activities were selected based on the theme.
Family Reading Night 2013
May 3, 2013
“Exercise Your Mind”
Event Details
 Date: May 3rd, 2013
 Theme: health and fitness
 Motto: “Exercise Your Mind”
 Presenter: Tim Green
Family Reading Night 2013
 Tim Green – author,
lawyer, former professional
athlete
http://timgreenbooks.com/
Bringing it all together
 Tim Green gave two thirty minute presentations on
athleticism, writing, and his books.
 Frisbees were placed in the bags given to attendees, in an
effort to encourage physical activity.
 Activities were selected that focused on physical activity and
healthy living.
Pricing
 The pricing of presenters varies, but there are ways to offset
the costs
 Grants, which Maria will discuss
 Donations, which Maria will also cover
 Cooperative Services (BOCES)
Promotion
Promotion
 Once you know your main event, tell everyone!
 Flyers like this one
were all over our buildings
as early as December!
Promotion
 If you’re main event is an author, make sure you have their
books. Put them in the hands of the people you know will
like them and will tell everyone how much they like them!
Promotion
 Logo Contest
 Start early! Especially if the
logo will be on promotional
items, like Frisbees and bags.
 Have a fun prize!
Promotion
 A month or so before your event, send home a flyer
explaining the event. Include a list of all the activities that
will be offered!
Promotion
 The week of the event, send
home a reminder.
 Hang up bigger versions all around
the building!
Promotion
 The night of the event, have a registration table with happy
and excited volunteers!
 Make sure you have a program with room numbers of all
events and a map of the building.
 Give them to every family with the free gift.
 Examples of gifts:
 Books
 Bookmarks
 Frisbees
 Tote bags
Activities & Volunteers
Activities
• Choose activities that revolve
•
•
•
•
around literacy and/or your
theme
Some of the activities that were
available for our “Exercise Your
Mind” FRN
Popular stations are repeated from
year to year
Take suggestions from volunteers!
Important to have a variety of
activities that will appeal to young
and old
Volunteers
 Delegate jobs to make work load manageable
 Reach out to teachers, students, staff, PTA, and community
members (e.g. public librarians)
 Let them choose what they would like to do
 Give plenty of notice
 Make use of their talents
 Art teacher at a craft station
 Family and Consumer Science teacher at a food demonstration
Magic Show
This was a popular act that we ran both years. A middle school student volunteered to put on a
magic show for the families at our event.
Healthy Food Demonstration
Our Family and Consumer Science teachers put on a food demonstration for families. They were
making smoothies!
Martial Arts
A high school student volunteered to demonstrate some cool karate moves!
Book Swap
Families were able to bring in old books from home to exchange for other used books. A great,
free way to disperse new reading material to families.
Bookmark Making
A great way to promote reading and creativity!
Elephant and Piggie Dance-off!
Dancing and books. Can it get any better? A great idea for the younger crowd.
Make sure you feed ‘em!
Some of the NHS students from the high school volunteered to manage the refreshments.
Book Fair
Book Fair
Tips for a Successful Book Fair
 A great way to establish revenue to help fund future FRN





events
Scholastic is not the only option!
Make sure you have a written contract
Have several extra volunteers at the book fair to keep an eye
on merchandise
Have a wide selection
Reasonable pricing
Logistics
 Pick a building with adequate parking
 Book far in advance – talk to main office, custodians, teachers
 Announcements
Welcome Area
Signage
Funding
Door Prizes
 Collected business names from Chamber of Commerce website
and through brainstorming
 Some businesses donated money (used for supplies and
refreshments)
Grant Funding
 Pioneer Credit/Sallie Mae
 Community Involvement
 Walmart Foundation: Local Giving Program
 4imprint
Walmart Foundation Grant
 foundation.
walmart.com
 Deadline:
December 1st
 Awards of $250 -
$2,500
4imprint Grant
 onebyone.4imprint.com
 Funding covers 4imprint
products
 10% coupon
Gratitude
Thank You to Volunteers
Thank You for Donations