Fact Sheet #4
FOLA Checklist for Planning Successful Programmes
- People lead busy lives; don't hold a programme just because there is space in the calendar. Have a clear idea of the programme purpose.
- The programme committee should be large enough to handle the necessary tasks so that no one person feels too overburdened.
- Publicity is a key ingredient. Have experienced people be responsible for publicity, and determine media contacts and deadlines.
- Set up a realistic timetable so that all concerned have a clear expectation of the time involved.
- Evaluate each event afterwards. If your audience evaluations are good, don't be discouraged if a programme doesn't draw the numbers you expect.
- Look for other community organisations to share the responsibility of the programme. Two invitation lists are better than one, and you can expose more people to Friends of Libraries.
- Some potential pitfalls: poor timing; inadequate notification; careless organisation; unclear delegation of responsibilities; not enough participation; inadequate or poorly-timed publicity.
- Possible sources of ideas and material: FOLA Resource Book, other Friends of Library groups, new books, local interest, political necessity, current trends.