A Taste of Chester County - Week 1

We hosted our first program in the A Taste of Chester County series.

Wine Tasting was hosted at the Kreutz Creek Winery. Karen Clinefrom the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail talked about the upcoming events happening around the wine trail and Carole Kirkpatrick, owner of Kreutz Creek Winery talked about how she got into the wine tasting business.
Both were wonderful and engaging!

The crowd was diverse, the energy was great, and the wine just kept coming!

The Advocacy Coordinator did a wonderful presentation about our library, and even found a way to tie the library and wine together by noting that there was 24 hour access to librarians on ccls.org that you can use to answer all of your wine tasting questions.

We had 30+ attendees who all left with big smiles and rosy cheeks.
Many called as soon as they got home to RSVP for the other events on the program.

This program was awesome. Even the people who presented said they were nervous about how "successful" this would be, and they were pleasantly surprised to see how great it turned out.

Both presenters expressed an interest in hosting other library related events, and I look forward to seeing what other successful programs we can plan!

Program Review - Writing for Effectiveness

The Chester County Library hosted Writing for Effectiveness: Finding & Unbridling The Passion on March 3, 2010. Salvatore Grasso, a self published local author was our host for the evening.

The program had 20 enthusiastic participants from a wide range of backgrounds and age ranges.
Discussion topics included How to create character scenes, building effective factual presentations, and how to better open stories and presentations for effectiveness.

Sal did a wonderful job of engaging everyone in the room, and covering a variety of ideas to ensure each attendee could take something away from the evening.

He presented using notes, which he sometimes relied a bit too much on, but as soon as he looked up and starting engaging the group in a conversation on writing, the dynamic of the presentation changed and everyone participated.

I believe this was one of Sal's first presentations, so I anticipate his next presentations will be better and better as he gets more practice.
This was a great general overview presentation for anyone interested in writing a book, or writing more effective letters and correspondence.

The only room requirement would be tables, since there were writing excercises during the presentation.

Sal presented his program for free, and conducted himself in a professional and engaging manner. I would recommend this program for any library in the system. It would be a great unique addition to your program lineup.

I look forward to working with Sal in the future and creating some programs on more specific writing techniques as sort of a "part 2" to this initial presentation.

Program Review - Solar Made Simple

The Chester County Library in Exton hosted Solar Made Simple on September 22, 2009.
The program was presented by Michael Chambers from Chesapeake Solar, a GroSolar Company.

The 56 participants came prepared with notebooks and questions galore. The presentation had the potential to take a sales-pitch turn, but Mike was really understanding that this was a library and removed anything resembling selling in his PowerPoint before the event.

There was some reference to "I can't talke about that" throughout the presentation. But for the most part, he did stick to information that could be used by all.

Mike even learned some new things from participants. Did you know that a Solar Panel is sized using a Golden Ratio? Or that Germany is trying to develop a way for Solar Panels to collect energy even when it's cloudy?

Our participants really did their research!

For the amount of effort needed by the library (none) this was an extremely successful and stress free event. Mike came prepared with his presentation, a table of information, and a sign that displayed the way solar power works, which we posted outside of the room as a welcome.

The Green Valleys Association came with some flyers for their upcoming Chester County Solar Tour, and gave a little blurb at the end of the program to let participants know they could come.

All in all, the event went great. The people gained tons of new knowledge and information, and the library had people scurrying around, post program, using computers, and looking for books that further would help them with solar knowledge.

Program Idea - Solar Made Simple

Name: Solar Made Simple

Presenter: Michael Chamber, Mid-Atlantic Representative for Chesapeak Solar
Contact Info: 302-650-9890 michael.chambers@grosolar.com

Fee for Program: Free

Program Description: A solar energy system on the roof of your home allows you to stabalize your energy futures and to make a positive environmental contribution all at the same time. Solar energy today offers multiple benefits to you and your planet tomorrow.

• Is Solar right for you?
• Are you concerned about climate change, rising energy prices, and dependence on foreign resources?

This presentation is designed for homeowners that are interested in utlizing solar energy. Learn how solar works, how to know if your home is right for solar, and how to use state grants and federal tax credits to help pay for a system.

Program Length: 1-2 hours

Preferred Maximum Audience: 20-40

Presenter's Requirements: Projector and Screen

Presenter will provide: Laptop and PowerPoint presentation as well as solar panel samples.

Which System Libraries will they present: All

Free Gaming in Libraries Course

I just received an e-mail with this awesome opportunity.
Want to do gaming in the libraries but not sure what your first step should be? Here is some helpful FREE information to use as a guide.
Enjoy!

Free Gaming in Libraries Course via YouTube

Scott Nicholson, associate professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, will be teaching a video-based course on the basics of gaming in libraries. Every day during the month of June, participants will be able to view a new video exploring some concept of games or how libraries can integrate games into their programs. The class will cover games appropriate for all age groups in many types of library settings. Throughout the month of June, Scott Nicholson will teach IST 600 Gaming in Libraries in three online spaces, two of which are freely available to anyone:

· The Syracuse University YouTube channel, where video lectures and guest speakers will be posted, and where students enrolled in the class will be required to post weekly video responses. (http://www.youtube.com/syracuse)

· American Library Association (ALA) Connect , a social networking site for the ALA that will host the discussion of students, speakers, librarians, and other participants from the general public. (http://connect.ala.org/forum/10310)

· The iSchool¹s online learning management system, a private space for enrolled students to ask questions and submit their assignments.

Students and other participants in the class can expect to gain a solid understanding of the spectrum of types of games, know how libraries typically use games, and be able to select games for their own libraries based upon the goals of the program and the mission of the library. They will learn how to start a gaming program, how to facilitate the activity, how to assess the program, and how to tie the assessment back to the library¹s mission. Nicholson¹s biggest goal for the course is to bring together students, librarians, gamers, and representatives of the gaming industry for a month-long discussion about the roles that games can play in libraries. The course is being offered by the Syracuse iSchool to its students and students enrolled at partner schools through the Web-based Information Science Education (WISE) Consortium.
The course is being funded by the Kauffman Enitiative Project at Syracuse University.
The primary blog for the course is at http://gamesinlibraries.org/course

Program Idea - Writing Resumes & Cover Letters That Get Interviews

Program: Writing Resumes and Cover Letters that Get Interviews

Presenter: Richard J. Lukesh, President

Presenter's Organization/Company: Lukesh Consulting Group, Inc.

Program Fee: Free

Description: My FREE book, Secrets to Getting Hired, identifies:
A. Information Marketing and Direct Marketing strategies for writing a resume and cover that will allow candidates to distinguish themselves in the current competitive job market.
B. Selected Sales Presentation tactics to use during a job interview that will allow candidates to out-position the vast majority of other candidates who are inverviewing for the same job.

Requirements: Laptop with USB port, and Projection Screen, additional laptop connected to the internet so Mr. Lukesh can allow participants to view websites (optional)

Equipment Presenter will bring: Laptop if needed. Has had issues in the past connecting his laptop to projector equipment

Length of Program: 1 hour + 30 minute q&a

Libraries willing to present at: ALL

Program Idea - Core Class: A Look Into the Spine

Program: Core Class: A Look Into the Spine

Presenter: Brian Capaldi

Organization: Peak Potential Wellness Center

Description: This is an educational interactive look into what our core muscles are and what their function is. It is individualized for each participant. Each member of the audience will learn what exercises they need to do on a daily basis to strengthen their core and keep their body healthy.

Fee: Free

Length of Program: 1.5 hours

Dates and Times Available: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday Evenings

Preferred Maximum Audience: 50 or less

Requirements: Adequate seating for participants, Table for displaying materials

Provided by Presenter: Handouts, Booklets, and Medical Models

Libraries he will present at:
This presenter would like to stay within a 10 mile radius of Malvern, PA

Program Idea: YOGA - A Simple Effective Way to a More Balanced Life

Program: YOGA - A Simple Effective Way to a More Balanced Life



Presenter: Maria J. Garcia



Organization: The Soul Center, Phoenixville, PA



Description: In recent years, Yoga has been the subject of numerous studies by prestigious universities, medical institutions and research facilities around the world. All seem to agree that the benefits of yoga are real and span a broad base of physical and mental conditions. So exactly what is yoga? Where does it come from and how does it accomplish all those good things from supporting the heart to helping with arthritis, depression and chronic pain? This lecture provides a contemporary overview of the oldest recorded system of health on the planet. It shows you how simple changes in physical alignment and lifestyle can help you access new levels of energy, relieve chronic pain, ease tension, improve overall health and …yes, change your life!



Length: 1 hour presentation + q&a



Preferred Maximum Audience: As many as can be accomodated



Fee: honorariums or $0



Materials Fee: $0



Date/Times Available in 2009: Any evening except for Mondays and Wednesdays



Presenter Requirements: Tall Stool & Easel if available and one small table for display



Libraries that she will present at:All Libraries!