Quick Summary:
- Two libraries used LibraryAware to launch engaging winter promotions that boosted program attendance and circulation.
- Both libraries relied on ready-made templates to quickly create professional-looking marketing materials.
- Their strategies are easy to adapt for any library looking to energize patrons during slower seasons.
When the snow starts falling and the days grow shorter, libraries often face a familiar challenge: How to keep patrons engaged during the quiet winter months. For Karl Junginger Memorial Library and North Shore Library, two Wisconsin libraries with very different communities, one tool is the key to turning winter into a season of connection, creativity, and reading.
Cold Weather, Quiet Libraries
In Waterloo, WI, the Karl Junginger Memorial Library serves a small community of about 3,600. Winter weather can slow visits to the library, and staff wanted to find a way to keep people coming in and checking out materials.
"Our ultimate goal with any reading program is an increase in circulation," shares Amanda Brueckner, Assistant Director and Youth Services Librarian. "We can achieve this goal when we help keep our community motivated to read."
Meanwhile, Haley Samuelson, Assistant Director at North Shore Library, was preparing for a big transition. Her library serves over 26,000 residents in Milwaukee’s North Shore communities and was in the process of moving to a new building. With limited staff and a lot on their plate, they needed a Winter Reading Program that was both impactful and manageable.
LibraryAware as a Winter Reading Toolkit
Both Amanda and Haley turned to LibraryAware to bring their winter reading programs to life and to make planning easier.
Amanda’s team leaned into the New Year’s resolution theme, encouraging patrons to set reading goals and rewarding youth participants with guaranteed prizes and chances to win gift cards sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
"We absolutely appreciate the very fun, fresh, and eye-catching winter reading graphics that LibraryAware creates!" says Amanda. "We use the templates, email campaigns, social media graphics, flyers, just about all of it."
Haley’s team took a strategic approach by launching their challenge in December, allowing school partners to promote it before winter break.
"Starting in December allowed our participants to dive into any books they may have received during the holiday season," she explains.
North Shore Library's teen Winter Reading log, created in LibraryAware
LibraryAware’s graphics and templates are the foundation for all the library's materials.
"Having a robust selection of premade graphics and templates helped make planning and implementation a seamless process," Haley says. "We modified the provided resources to create reading logs, flyers, digital banners, badges, social media graphics, email blasts, and more."
Growing Participation and Lasting Impact
The results are inspiring. Amanda says participation grows each year.
"Our community has come to excitedly anticipate the start of the reading challenges," she says. For 2025, her team is planning to add a mini-canvas art activity to further engage participants.
Karl Junginger Memorial Library is using LibraryAware to create trackers for this year's reading challenge, which launches in a few weeks.
Haley sees similar enthusiasm from families.
"The creativity in how kids choose to track minutes with stamps, stickers, vibrant colors, etc., is always fun to see when they turn in their logs at the desk," she shares.
Even as Haley’s team prepares to move into a new space, they’ll continue using LibraryAware to stay connected with patrons.
"Having marketing materials readily available has been a huge help for us as a small but mighty staff."
"Having marketing materials readily available has been a huge help for us as a small but mighty staff."
Keep It Simple, Make It Fun
Both Amanda and Haley agree: Winter reading programs don’t have to be complicated.
"We do a simplified version of our summer reading program," Amanda shares. "It’s familiar to our participants, but easier to accomplish with busy school or work schedules."
Haley echoes that sentiment: "Using consistent graphics across age groups not only helped save staff time, but it also provided a sense of uniformity and consistent branding for the library."
Zack Moore is a Product Engagement Specialist for NoveList. He is currently reading Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree.
