Afterschool and Out-of-School Programming

• Would you like to learn the practical nuts and bolts of creating a successful school age program?
• Do you want to be part of the competition for after and out-of-school learning?
• Do you want to know more about how to create a variety of programs including active, passive, series, and specials?

Traditionally Libraries have been strong supporters of learning and recently the connected learning movement has provided even more opportunity through the focus on informal learning outside the school day. In this course you will have the chance to expand your knowledge on running successful school age programs at your library, right down to the best days and times for programming. Instructor Lisa Shaia, author of After-School Clubs for Kids, will also push your boundaries and encourage you to think about out-of-the-box ideas such as creating a bus stop, running a field trip, and finding community collaborators.

Course Description: Through practical assignment, discussions and an online meeting this four week online course will provide the opportunity for participants to learn how to create and run successful school age programs from start to finish, including how to calendar for the best attendance, using online registration systems and identifying local community collaborators and funders.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

• Week 1: Successful School Age Programming
  • Creating goals
  • Developing a calendar
  • Utilizing online registration systems
  • Explaining Unattended Children’s Policies
• Week 2: Special Programs
  • Active vs. passive programs
  • Targeted age groups
  • Designing programs for mixed age groups
• Week 3: Series Programs
  • Popular author/series programs
  • Designing series programming for mixed ages
  • Early and upper elementary series programs
• Week 4: Kick It Up a Notch Programs
  • Identifying potential collaborators, funders and grants for programs
  • Setting up a bus stop
  • Planning a field trip

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2½ hours per week, for a total of ten course hours. Each week's module contains readings and various options for assignments, discussions, or online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Public and School Library staff at all levels who work with school age children for the purposes of programming.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.

Keywords: Children's services, Programming