After a long lull in programming for 3rd-5th graders, in 2005 we had a "Detective Club" that met once a week for 4 weeks, funded by the Friends. The response to that was phenomenal. We had the kids fill out an evaluation at the last program and asked them to list ideas for future programs.
So in 2006 we started an "Afterschool Club" for this age group. It meets on the 3rd Monday of the month from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Being consistent with the date and time is important as it makes it easier for kids and parents to remember.
Programs are book or topic of interest-based, interactive, with simple crafts & snack; door prizes & sometimes lilttle prizes for contests. They are intended to meet children's needs for information, recreational, and experience in the arts. Sometimes we have guest presenters, sometimes not. Our attendance is fairly stable as most of the kids come every month. It is running about 25 this year. Last year we received $200 from the Friends for expenses; this year we asked for $300. We do not meet during the summer, since we have programs for all ages then.
Here are the topics (and their "collection connection") that we have had so far or have planned for this school year:
Lord of the Rings Scavenger Hunt* (Lord of the Rings trilogy) * modified for this age group from a previous teen program The 3 Rs * Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Recycling; crafts from nature) Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Chocolate) (a friend played "Willy Wonka" and judged contests) Pirates of the Caribbean (Pirates) Legend of Sleepy Hollow, pumpkin activity (Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Halloween crafts) Hoot! (Hoot; owls; conservation) A Naturalist p Holiday gift wrapping, card making, & cookie decorating (Gift Wrapping; Card Making) Survivor! (First Aid; Camping; Survival Stories) Captain Underpants (Captain Underpants) Titanic & Immigration (Titanic & immigration) (ties into the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and also a special program on immigration being presented to all 5th grades by our local symphony) Insects (Insects)
Other topics being considered for next year: How to Eat Fried Worms Harry Potter Magic Tree House Junie B. Jones Judy Moody Egyptology Middle Ages Mystery (Detective, Spy, etc.) Animals Magic 100 Days of School Poetry Creative Writing Coffee Can Ice Cream (have done for Teens)
Publicity & Promotion is very important, especially at the beginning of the school year. Our publicist designs flyers in both color and b/w, full-size sheet and also half-sheet size. Then I email copies to the elementary media specialists, who print out what they want and promote the Club within their schools as they see fit. The media specialist connection has been key to getting new kids coming to the library. At the end of each program, I have the registration sheet for the next one and lots of them go ahead and sign up while they're here.