For the past four years, my library has proÂvidÂed our comÂmuÂniÂty with a sumÂmer readÂing carÂniÂval to kickÂstart our sumÂmer readÂing proÂgram. For the first two years, we had a few bounce housÂes and cotÂton canÂdy and 400 patrons attendÂed. To plan our past carÂniÂval, I brainÂstormed ideas on how to conÂtinÂue by proÂvidÂing a carÂniÂval with more than bounces housÂes and cotÂton canÂdy. The one word that was in my head was partÂnerÂships. I made a list of curÂrent library partÂners and sent them an email inviÂtaÂtion. Every partÂner agreed to parÂticÂiÂpate. When word got out about our carÂniÂval, I received emails from new agenÂcies and orgaÂniÂzaÂtions askÂing if they could parÂticÂiÂpate. A total of 42 partÂners parÂticÂiÂpatÂed and our attenÂdance was over 1,600 (our popÂuÂlaÂtion is at or around 12,500)!
A kick-off carÂniÂval is a wonÂderÂful opporÂtuÂniÂty for any library to begin its sumÂmer readÂing proÂgram. I perÂsonÂalÂly love these types of proÂgrams because library partÂners proÂvide the activÂiÂties at no cost to us or the comÂmuÂniÂty. We do apply for a local grant to help with any addiÂtionÂal costs. It is always imporÂtant to rememÂber that a proÂgram does not have to cost monÂey to be sucÂcessÂful nor does it have to be large scale.
The folÂlowÂing is my planÂning process to pull off a sucÂcessÂful kick-off program.
SEPTEMBER:
- Spend time reviewÂing the past carÂniÂval and idenÂtiÂfy both the sucÂcessÂes and the areas needÂing improveÂment. For examÂple, last we year we did not have a map for patrons to locate activÂiÂties and to ensure partÂners had enough space;
- Send a thank you letÂter to the partÂners and invite them to the next carnival.
- Do you see a lack of activÂiÂties for a speÂcifÂic age group?
NOVEMBER:
- Review the curÂrent list of partÂners and begin to research new partÂners. Our kick-off carÂniÂval has a comÂbiÂnaÂtion of partÂners from social serÂvice agenÂcies, schools, earÂly learnÂing orgaÂniÂzaÂtions, local comÂmuÂniÂty colÂleges, serÂvice orgaÂniÂzaÂtions, and uniÂverÂsiÂty departments.
- Begin reachÂing out to new partÂners and invite them to the carnival.
JANUARY:
- ConÂtinÂue adding new partÂners if needÂed. RememÂber to think about both spaces inside the library and outÂside the library so you can accomÂmoÂdate the amount of partÂners attendÂing. Do you have a street outÂside of your library you could block-off? Our library is three stoÂries and has a large street so we can accomÂmoÂdate a lot of partners;
- Send out the first email about the date for the kick-off event, inforÂmaÂtion about last year and the date for them to conÂfirm their participation.
- If you are using a street, reach out to your city to request a street cloÂsure for your kick-off program.
MARCH:
- FolÂlow up with partÂners if they have questions;
- If you have room, conÂtinÂue invitÂing partÂners to the kick-off program;
- Begin reviewÂing your space and mapÂping out conÂfirmed partners;
- Begin creÂatÂing posters, draftÂing out social media posts, and locatÂing potenÂtial marÂketÂing avenues. The poster I creÂate for this event does not list every activÂiÂty, only highÂlights. See examÂple below.
APRIL AND MAY:
- FinalÂize posters and begin adverÂtisÂing on social media;
- ConÂtinÂue reviewÂing the space and updatÂing the map as needed.
- Recruit volÂunÂteers to help. The Friends group, colÂlege stuÂdents, high school stuÂdents, retirees, and the local 4‑H club are great choices;
- ThroughÂout these months, I creÂate FaceÂbook Live videos to announce all of the fun activÂiÂties at the kick-off and invite partÂners to join me.
JUNE 3, 2019: SUMMER READING KICK-OFF CARNIVAL!

Hope this helps you plan your own sumÂmer readÂing kick-off for next year. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Have a great summer!
-Mr. Z
MY SUMMER READING PLANS … WHAT ARE YOURS?