The Kellogg Environmental Center, part of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), came to the library as part of an outreach program. We had 36 attendees (good for us), and the presenter talked about wildlife, particularly frogs, turtles, salamanders, and snakes, and the benefits they provide to us, as well as ways to coexist. We heard about endangered wildlife and how cars are very high on the list of causing harm. Stages of tadpole development, salamander, turtle, and snake development were shown through models that the kids could touch. This was for all ages, but more families and kids showed up rather than adults.
This program was inspired by what I learned as part of ALA's Resilient Communities: Advancing Sustainability in and through Libraries program and e-course, “Sustainable Librarianship: Core Competencies and Practices."
Advanced Planning
I started planning a couple of months in advance with the DEEP program coordinator. We then handled press and social media with assistance from library staff.
On the evening of the program, which forecasted possible tornadoes, DEEP asked if we should cancel or postpone, but we went ahead as planned and lucked out, and the rain was not too bad, so the program went off great!
The presenter was great and captivated everyone! It could have been a disaster, as we had families waiting in the building early. The program was at 6 pm, and they started waiting at 5:30. So I was very lucky!
Marketing
We put flyers up and sent them to the newspapers and we put the program on our website and other online calendars (newspapers and community ones). We normally send a blast out, but our platform is down, so Facebook worked for us, and word-of-mouth and announcing at other programs.
Budgeting
We paid DEEP $70.00.
Day-of-event Activity
Two staff members were needed for room configuration and extra care was spent in getting the computer ready and powered up, as DEEP's did not work. The presenter brought a flash drive, and I sent the file to my email so we could open up the presentation on our computer, but the presenter had created the slides in Canva and opened their Canva account to run it from there.
Program Execution
The program ran on time with 36 attendees. We had great feedback, mostly from the parents, as the kids were too excited. Everyone responded very well to the presenter. Animal awareness and respect were the goals, and it was a success. The presentation surely planted a seed.
Advice
Try connecting with your local wildlife nature centers or similar state programs.
Supporting Materials
More Programs
Library Naturalist-in-Residence
Audiences:
Bawks and Books
Audiences:
