Tasty Successes - Part 2

Hanna Collins is the Youth Services Librarian, Slinger Community Library 

As I mentioned in my last post, when you ask any librarian, they will likely all agree that food brings patrons to the library! That was certainly the case with two recent taste test-style programs we hosted at Slinger Community Library, I designed two separate programs, one of which fell during our “All Together Now” Summer Learning Program. You can find the first program on Blindfold Taste Tests here

Taste of Slinger 

My second tasty program went along with our “All Together Now” SLP theme. At our library, we really focused on outreach and collaboration with area businesses. I decided to plan a taste-test program involving our locally owned restaurants. About two months before the program, I began emailing and Facebook messaging businesses with little success. I decided to hit the pavement and get some facetime, which did the trick! I approached about 8 restaurants in our area and asked for the equivalent of about a $20 donation of food that I could pick up the morning of the program. Many were happy to be asked and be involved. Several were not able to donate, but I placed an order anyways to support local businesses and build relationships. I spent about $30 on food from restaurants that could not donate. 

A week before the program, I confirmed orders and pick-up times with each business. I printed a sign for each food with the restaurant’s logo, along with an explanation if needed and a QR code to the menu. Set-up did take a significant time – I would recommend starting an hour or more before program time. 

We had a full house with extra food! The kids were told they didn’t have to try everything. As a former School Media Specialist, I used my classroom management skills to make sure all needed materials (plates, napkins, cutlery, toothpicks, wipes) were ready and accessible, and dismissed participants by table to avoid a mad dash. 

I had these food containers on hand as well so families could take leftovers. All participants were happy and complimentary. Some families had not heard of some of the restaurants, so it was great advertising for them!  

This could be a great program for any library! It’s a great way to build relationships with local businesses. It was a win-win situation