Home / Online Dating 101

Online Dating 101

Submitted by kathryn.goldbach on Tue, 10/11/2016 - 11:18
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Manager Input
Manager's Decision: 
Approved
Is staff available for coverage?: 
Yes
Library budget available for this amount and for this target audience?: 
Yes
Manager Comments: 
When you say that success will be measured by attendance, what do you mean? How many attendees will it take to be considered successful? Why that number? Also, attendance for this program is a fine measure of this program's success, but always remember that the success of our library is measured by member retention and market penetration, not program attendance. Those two metrics should always be in the back of your mind when you are designing programs.
Program Identification
Location: 
Village Library
Date: 
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Program Time: 
Start Time (hour)Start Time (minutes)Setup TimeEnd Time (hour)End Time (minutes)Take-Down Time
70030 minutes80030 minutes
Program Details

Blurb

Would you like to use a description from the Blurb Bank?: 
No, I'll create my own blurb.
Program Description: 
Dating got you down? Don't think you can deal with another blunder of a blind date? Millions of people around the world have met their mates through online dating, and so can you. Join two online dating pros as they chat about creating the perfect profile, do's and don'ts, and other tips to stay safe and avoid the dreaded catfish! Please note, this program is 18+.
Primary Age Group: 
Adult
Additional Age Groups: 
Young Adult (ages 18-21) / Senior (ages 55+)
Primary Event Type: 
Science & Technology
Additional Event Types: 
Culture & Entertainment / Learning Assistance

Presenter

Will your program have a presenter?: 
Yes
Does the presenter have the proper credentials, training & positive references?: 
Yes
Presenter Type: 
professional librarian
Program Justification
Is a program the best way to meet the expressed need or present information?: 
Yes
Does the program fit the goals of the MLS?: 
Yes
How & why does this program meet the goals of the MLS?: 
Growing Smarter Communities: We often have members who aren't really up-to-date on staying safe online. This will help increase our members' knowledge of online safety, particularly in relation to dating. TeXperiences: Experiences and environments that use technology to enhance effectiveness and efficiency. -We will help patrons grow their technical knowledge and comfort level. Playful Learning: Experiences and environments that engage members in play and focus on teaching and learning. -We will be using this time to teach our members a topic that is popular and interesting. InterReach -This may generate interest from people in the 18-35 category, which is always a tough age group to reach. If we can show the community that we offer a lot more than just book clubs, we could potentially reach new members.
Which Strategic Plan Response/Goals does this program meet?: 
Satisfy Curiosity: Visitors explore their interests using the variety of information at the library.
Why will this program be successful?: 
I believe this program will be successful because based on the numbers, online dating is a booming business. According to Pew, 15% of US adults report using online dating websites. In addition, while it is not surprising that online dating numbers have grown among 18-24 year olds, what is surprising is the 12% of 55-64 year olds using online dating. Many people dismiss those over 50 as not being tech-savvy, but the reality is, they are and they want more information! This program will reach both the pros and the newbies, and it will teach tips that anyone can use. Both librarians have multiple years individually on multiple websites, and as such, are ideal for speaking about this challenging topic. (http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/02/29/5-facts-about-online-dating/)
How will success be measured/determined?: 
The program's success will be measured in attendance.
Program Engagement

Marketing

Is sufficient time available to have a Info Magazine Listing?: 
Yes
Is sufficient time available to request MaC materials and display them for at least 2 weeks (45 days)?: 
Yes

Community Engagement

How will you promote this event to the community?: 
Create an in-Library Book Display or Exhibit
Submit for sharing on Library System's Social Media sites
Up-sell the event with customers (verbally or with printed Marketing pieces)
What library resources and services will you connect to this program?: 

We will be creating a book display for the event. The library has several good books on dating and dating online, many of which would likely be useful to those attending the class.

Are volunteers needed?: 
No

Supplies

Are supplies needed?: 
Yes, will be using supplies on hand.
Supply/Shopping List: 
Projector; computer; books; stands for a book display
Final Comments: 
While the topic is not a new one, for many who are recently back in the dating pool or older, online dating is a totally new experience. This class will reach those who are just starting in online dating, but it might also reach out to those who have done it before and aren't sure what's working and what isn't. We hope to reach anyone interested in exploring the option of dating online.
Are you ready for your supervisor to evaluate this program?: 
Yes
Program Evaluation
Are you ready to evaluate your program?: 
No
Move Forward?: 
Yes, I'm ready to move on.
Move Forward?: 
Yes, I'm ready to move on.
Move Forward?: 
Yes, I'm ready to move on.
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