Programming A to Z: Program Plan Template (courtesy of Dr. J. Elizabeth Mills)
My first attempt at filling out the template is below (would revisit after creating a partnership with another organization):
Name of program: An Interactive Walk for Kids!
Original program or revision of existing program: Original
Intended audience: Kids and their families, centered around ages 4-7 but open to anyone!
Location (in or out of library): Outside, independent of library or any building structure, passive programming that doesn’t rely on interacting with others to participate (i.e., don’t need to pick up a map when a building open, or show up at a certain time, etc)
Time of year for program/frequency of program: Anytime of year, dependent on the area’s weather; can be set up for a set period of time or indefinitely
Purpose of program: To offer a free, age-appropriate, entertaining, passive programming that combines learning with play & can happen whenever the participants want
Goals for program: free and accessible – caregiver & child experience together
Fun playful unique structured experience that also supports various aspects of child development
Relevant ALSC/YALSA/AASL competencies supported by this program:
Commitment to Client Group 1-5 & 7
Programming Skills 1-9
At least two outcomes you want to support in this program:
1. Offer engaging programming experience for caregivers and kids that can be done independently of the library operations (responding to pandemic shut down scenarios where traditional programming was inaccessible to all, and while outside activities are deemed safer, gathering and interacting with people outside your bubble, whether playground or organized outside group activities, were not considered safe**)
2. Engage with the walk & hopefully complete it
3. Spark imaginations for other activities
****
Origin of those outcomes – how do they connect the community to this program?
This walk will take place in the community with the specific community in mind.
* Ways to support these outcomes in the program:
* Measure(s) to ascertain the results of these outcomes:
* How would you develop the measure(s)?
Planned activities in program: walk with activity stops that can vary
Materials needed: Depends on specific choices made for signage, but materials for signs are the main materials needed.
Would like to offer a related book list and surprise at the end (sticker/pin)
Estimated budget: For my Capstone, I wanted to spend less than $30; cost of the project will vary though, depending on how it is implemented.
Origin of funding: TBD! (for this initial ideation – me!)
Additional staff needed for program:
If materials left outside, someone will need to check on them for damage/missing/etc.
Estimated number of staff hours for planning, delivery, and assessment of program: Unsure
Advertising/promotion efforts to publicize the program: Not ready at this point, but in future, share on social media & websites, community bulletin boards, area newsletters, word of mouth
Final reporting requirements tied to funding: N/A
How to promote sustainability of the program:
Reusable materials – signage
Web resources
Papers can be turned into craft? /back is suggested book list
Final reflection:
If you are building on the program you learned about in your interview, would you do the program the same way or are you changing it somehow? Why or why not? N/A
If you are creating a new program, why is that? What community considerations might you need to reflect on to develop this program?
Born out of pandemic, lock-down situation and the need for entertaining, youth-appropriate programming that is outside and distanced from others, as well as free, fun, and doesn’t require a set time frame. Community space available – busy city? Rural? Safety of kids – busy streets? unsafe to stop & spend time? QR codes manipulated by someone with bad intentions? ages of kids in area and their interests, access to technology; languages spoken in the community; is the walk is accessible to all?
How might you anticipate any challenges that could arise in your own programming?
Planning for many scenarios will help. Big concerns are vandalism & weather
How would your program meet the competencies for either ALSC or YALSA, depending on the target age group?
Commitment to Client Group 1-5 & 7
Programming Skills 1-9
How would you integrate critical areas such as media mentorship, learning, play, and others into
the planning and delivery of the program? learning and play are built into the structure of the walk
How is your program addressing diversity and equity? Trying to offer materials in a variety of ways, ****
How are you incorporating the Connected Learning framework in some form in your program?
This is a program that they will seek out because of their interest; not an assignment or expected activity; they have agency. The shared activity provides an opportunity for “cross-generational learning and connection” with a shared purpose.
How do you plan to assess your program to ascertain whether the outcomes you’ve set in place have been met?
Feedback/survey? Also some type of activity that can check in
Thoughts on this process:
Working through this template really helped illuminate how much was unknown about this project
The more specific you are, the better you can plan
Want to revisit this once this project is aligned with a specific community