The Wheel of the Year:

Creating a 12-Month Programming Plan

Raamses Castillo

INFO 260A-11

Professor Lisa Houde

San Jose State University

Introduction

Learning begins at a very early age and parents/ caregivers are a child's first teacher. As partners in education, libraries help support families and children by providing resources and programs that aid in early childhood literacy and development. These programs and resources achieve this by using strategies of play, environment, and activities that are child centric, focusing on the development of the child's social emotional, physical, and literacy skills.

The objective of this blog is to lay out a year long children and family services programming calendar. Using research and class materials, library programming will be literacy based and focused on providing child development skills in a fun and creative environment. Using community, caregivers, and staff, children will be introduced to concepts for school readiness. Prior research from past programs will be used to determine the effectiveness and impact on the community. The three program types will include story times, family literacy training, and staff development training in order to implement literacy based programming. Budgeting for programming will come from grant, community support, and children and family services budget from one fiscal year. All programs are created with the goal of building community, life long learning, and a love of reading.

Navigating the Site

The blog is divided into five core components. This introduction page serves as an explanation to the purpose of this webpage. The programs give detailed explanation to what each weekly and monthly programs are offered and how they serve the public by adding components of early literacy and child development. The Summer Reading Program portion serves as an explanation to what the program is and how patrons will participate in the program. The schedule show a 12 month programming calendar with special programs added to each month. Notably on two of the months is a storytime recess to allow staff for early literacy training. Depending on on staffing there will be a rotation on which staff will be attending certain trainings including Touchpoints, staff development, and external trainings. The goal is to demonstrate my ability to create a year of programming for a children's and family services.

Marketing and Promotions

In order to reach the community and inform patrons of the library programs, there will be multiple forms of marketing used. Marketing will begin at least a month or two before the actual program. Flyers for the program will be printed on quarter sheets and will be passed out on reference and circulation desk. A digital flyer will also be available on the websites calendar of events and will also be posted on Facebook and Instagram. The children’s librarian will also reach out to the local elementary school’s librarian and send a digital copy to be printed and displayed at the school. The librarians can also request a physical 11x17 copy to be printed as well. The name and brief description of the program will also be available in the city's magazine & newsletter of program and events. Sample marketing for a tween program is featured below:

Instagram Marketing

Flyer Marketing

About the Author

Hello and welcome to my final project for INFO 260A! My name is Raamses Castillo, and I am children's library technician & am currently in the graduate program at San Jose State University studying to receive a Masters of Library and Information Science. These programs have been designed in mind to potentially be used in my current and future work in the library field. My background has been in education and library services which has led me to this graduate program to eventually be a children's library programing coordinator. My goal is to use the knowledge and skills I have gained from this program to create fun and engaging programs that children and families can learn, build community, and support a love of reading.