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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Well, I did my last library of the season just yesterday. I performed at 65 libraries total this summer and I had a blast! Most of them have already booked for next year and a few are pending waiting upon their budget. I am now putting together next years show and am very excited about it. Our theme in Texas for 2009 is, "Libraries: Deep In The Heart Of Texas!" So....
I would like to find someone who has used Barry Mitchell's "GOT MILK?" routine. It is a spongeball routine that I saw him present on video. He no longer sells the effect but I think it is excellent and could easily be turned into a hilarious routine about reading. If anyone has one they would like to sell, please PM me right away. This effect could easily be made but I'd like to get one that someone is not using. How many of you out there that work the library market are done for the year? How did it go? |
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Right at 90 shows - my last two were this past Wednesday. I now am enjoying two full weeks off, and my wife and little girl are about to go on a week long vacation to the beach.
I am all booked for next summer and have several days for 2010! Whoohoo! This year's show was a blast! Now on to the school year in a few weeks! Glad to hear it went well Todd. Chad |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I am always a bit sad when the library season is over as I love libraries. I have made many friends (librarians) through the years. Most of them are repeat clients that have booked me for many years in a row and we have a great relationship.
I am now preparing for another busy school season as well. It is nice to have a few days off in August. I am going to Kidabra again this year to "recharge my battery" and see some friends as well. FYI- Th effect I am looking for is called GOT COOKIES? not GOT MILK? I have the change bag that looks like a cow. I just need the sponge balls and lunchbox for the effect. |
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Yes, many of the librarians hug me now when I show up - many have known me for over 6 years, and a handful have known me since I was little. They become like an extended family.
Todd, not to get too off subject, but what sound set-up did you use this summer? |
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Didn't Bob McAlister do something with Cookies? I don't remember the name but it was a choc chip cookie misers dream type of routine.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I used the Anchor AN1000 which is an awesome little system. I actually have it up for sale now as I have recently added music for every part of my show. I have 9 tracks of music that play and some require a system that has a bigger speaker for clarity purposes. I am still going to stay with something small but a bit bigger. I've been using music for years but this year I decided to add music to all parts of the show. Boy...does it make a difference. Having music in the background as you talk really makes the show feel like extra special. I have a track for each routine / story I do. The audience and the librarians loved it!
I am not sure about a cookie routine with a misers dream. That sounds interesting! I am going to take the Barry Mitchell prop and create a story about reading out of it which I already have a great idea for. I am also working on a routine about recycling and litter as our famous saying in the lone star state is..."DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!" I've got tons of ideas for next year! |
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MoonRazor Special user 843 Posts |
Hey Chad, Congratulations on being totally booked for next season, that's great. Where are you located? thanks
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Usuaully I am 75% full for next summer but this year something different happened. Like Chad, I too get the hugs and the "it is so good to see you again" from many of the librarians. This summer I was told by 7 of my favorite librarians that this was there last summer to be there and then they were going to retire. Because of this they did not want to schedule for next year as they did not know who was going to be taking their place. I also had 3 that said they needed to wait to find out what their budget is for next year as the city is doing cutbacks. I am confident that they will come around. I've heard this before and they ended up booking again!
I did 65 library stops for a total of 72 shows. All of them went great! Our theme in Texas this year was "Celebrate Reading" so I named my program, "Happy Birthday Books!" I did a routine about a missing bunny rabbit based on the children's book Runaway Bunny by Margaret Brown. I also did a bit about Green Eggs & Ham which brought the house down. I have to admit that this was by far one of the easiest programs to put together since I have done over 2000 birthday parties. I simply made some minor changes to my birthday show and added in educational content and the show was born. It was a blast! |
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-02 10:27, todd75 wrote: I'm doing 55 shows this year, and our summer starts in July, not June. So I've still got a month of shows left. Like you, this was a very easy show to put together -- our theme in Canada was "Laugh Out Loud". What could be an easier theme than that? Brian |
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Our theme this year was "Catch the Reading Bug." Next year is "Be Creative at Your Library."
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
Great summer and yes it is always a bit sad to end. This year was my biggest year ever 105. Some of those libraries had me for two shows, so I think it was actually 83 libraries. It was a fun theme. SAW a ton of people. This was my 12th year and yes you do get a relationship going with the librarians. It is like a small family. I have about 50% booked out for next year. I have my regulars who book the same time every year. Gas prices hurt this summer so did not make as much money. But I did sell my magic book at most places(or at the places that let me).
Todd see you soon. Ken |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Yep...I'm looking forward to it Ken. I can hardly wait to be in Tennessee with everyone again!
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Guys:
Just keep one thing in mind which could (I'm not saying it will) affect next year's business. Many states are facing doomsday budget problems. Just last week I saw where CA was facing something like a $50 billon dollar shortfall. CA wasn't alone. New York is facing the same problem as well as many other states. These states ARE NOT hitting their revenue targets (budgets) because people are cutting back on their spending, which means states are getting less revenue. Some folks are cutting back on their driving, which means many states are facing additional shortfalls. If your doing less shows than last year, then you're paying less taxes. What this means is that eventually states are going to cut their budget spending somewhere. Could it be extra activities at schools and libraries? Hey, I don't think anything is off the table when people are backed into a financial corner. Although I'm not saying this is going to happen, it's just something to keep in mind as you plan out next year. I noticed how this one group that recently hired me for a show (it was not a library show) added a special clause to their contract which stated that they could cancel the show in the event of budget cutbacks. Luckily they didn't cancel, but you may want to keep your eye out for this type of language moving forward. Gerry |
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richards New user Brian Richards 82 Posts |
I believe that in many states the opposite will happen. This summer was the summer of "Staycation." In my area, summer reading turnout was much higher than normal, in a few cases...40% higher. There were a couple libraries that added an extra show at the beginner of the summer as soon as they realized that this summer was going to have more kid/parent turnout at the programs. In my neck of the woods, funding for programs is related to turnout and the numbers are all good for the children's librarians. Plus some funding is by the "Friends Of The Library" which has also increased this year.
You are right...CA and NY have budget problems, most of which are not related really to the economy...just really bad and overspending government. I suspect those libraries and performers in those areas might have some problems. The key is to be one of thew first performers that the librarians want. If you are, you probably won't be effected. On a side note, I just couldn't allow a clause in the contract that allowed for cancellation due to budget cutbacks. Sorry...budgets should be determined far enough in advance that that shouldn't happen. Again...poor government! I would refuse those gigs, especially in the summer where work is everywhere! Brian |
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
None of my libraries seemed worried about budgets. Many libraries (most actually) who hire me pay me through any funds coming in - but if they don't have those funds, they pay me from their "Friends of the Library." Some librarians just go around town and get local businesses to donate and pay for all their performances for the whole summer that way. Banks, restaurants, etc are always willing to help out the local librarians and summer reading.
I don't buy the whole doom and gloom the sky is falling stuff. Schools and libraries are booking me more for this upcoming year than ever before. Thankfully I don't live in California - waay to many regulations by their government there for my tastes and it is killing their economy worse than most other states. But libraries here are doing fine and can pay you in a variety of different ways. Chad |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Having not done Library Shows (but considering), how does the pay compare (basic ranges) to doing school assemblies?
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
Much lower.
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-04 11:05, Mindpro wrote: Yes, it is quite a bit lower than a day of school shows. However, schools aren't in during the summer so it's a great summer market. And...you get to get a bunch of practice for the next year's school show. Right now, I have done my show so many times that I can do it in my sleep, so the schools get the polished, finished product. And it's good money during the summer months. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
This years theme was a lot of fun. Just got a call from a media center/librarian to do a show for some of her big summer school readers. (elementary school level)
Next years "Creativity at your Library" will open up a lot of possibilities. One of our consumer/libraries deadline for submission was at the end of June. (29 branches...for this wonderful system) Harris nearly normal reader and righter
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I got a call just this morning from a library I just did 2 weeks ago. The librarian booked me for 4 branches over a 4 day period- 2 shows per branch for a total of 8 shows. This was one of those libraires that said they needed to wait for budget. Turns out someone donated some money for next years program and I get a slice of the pie.
Yes, library programs don't pay anything like a school does but with libraries- it is all about volume and back of the room sales. Like Chad pointed out....most cities have "Friends of the library" and many of the also has sponsors for the summer reading club. I think libraries will pretty much always have programs as their entire job is all about circulation. They have to find ways to get those books moving and getting checked out. I know that I 75% of the libraries I go to each year count the number of people that attend the program. They turn those numbers in to show how well the library is doing. |
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