Maggie and Jean, The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Library has a Welcome Week event called Party for Your Mind which includes many simultaneous activities throughout the library in a 2 hour time block. We do things like book making, board gaming, video gaming on large screens, and have even put together some escape rooms in the building. We also had food. One of the activities the students have done in the past was indoor mini-golf. I asked the coordinators of that event for their advice and here is what they said. *Angie, we used Acme Partyworks. * *https://acmepartyworks.com/* <https://acmepartyworks.com/> *We have not done this for a number of years--it was fun and the students enjoyed it, but it's a little bit expensive and the logistics in terms of the company dropping off the equipment and then storing the equipment before and after the event was a little complicated. We had tons of other activities so this got dropped. * You may not have the same constraints that we did. On the other hand, Novi is nowhere near Spring Lake. Good luck with your fundraising! Angie On Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 10:18 AM Jean Fellows via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:

I think this sounds like a great idea-- would love to hear more!

On Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 10:11 AM Maggie McKeithan via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:

...

My Friends group is exploring the idea of mini-golf through the stacks as a fundraiser. If you've done this before, I would love any pros/cons about it.

I'm also looking for recommendations for a company that would come in to set up the course, provide the putters/balls, etc. or if you did it yourself.

Any resources would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! Maggie

Maggie McKeithan Library Director she/her (616) 846-5770 x1161 123 E. Exchange, Spring Lake, Michigan 49456

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-- Jean Fellows Programming Coordinator Grand Ledge Area District Library 131 E. Jefferson St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837 517-627-7014 _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l

-- Jo Angela Oehrli she / her / hers Learning Librarian Children's Literature Librarian University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1185 http://www.lib.umich.edu/users/jooehrli

Hi, The Westland Public Library has hosted 2 successful Mini-Golf programs. The first was several years ago (2016) and the 2nd was just this summer. Here are some details: 1. All 18 holes were created by staff, individually or in teams, or TAB members. a. We had bricks donated to use as the “borders” this year for the holes that weren’t down an aisle. (Previous years we used reference books) b. We used a lot of materials we had on hand and many teams used items from home to create holes. c. Holes cost a total of $215.00 for all materials/supplies for all 18 holes. 2. The program was on a Friday night from 6-8. a. The Library Board approved an early closure (2 hrs early) to get ready. b. We got pizza for staff staying to help at the program. 3. We borrowed golf clubs and balls from the same local putt-putt business both times. a. Be sure to post that the items were “Generously provided by __________!” b. You can give one adult and one child putter to each family to share – not everyone needs their own putter! 4. We advertised it as a Family Event and provided food/drink (optional) a. A local market donated cookies. b. Same market gave us a discount on mini-sandwiches. c. Lemonade in a jug or mini-waters are popular drinks. d. Food ran a bit over $500 this year. Pros: - Staff had fun making the holes! - The TAB members got to work collaboratively, both making holes and volunteering at the event. - Patrons really loved the free evening out! - We continued collaboration with area businesses and advertised for them in return. Cons: - Getting rid of the bricks wasn’t easy. I would suggest using the edges of reference books like we did last time, if you have enough on hand. - We had a couple teams do two holes, but in a future event we could just do ONE 9-hole course if needed. - The food was costly and it was difficult predicting how many would attend. I would suggest pizza rather than sandwiches because you can always order a couple more pizzas IF you begin to run low. Or, you can skip the food entirely? The easiest way to see the holes our staff made (and the families having fun) is to check out the pictures on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.5325262010891726&type=3. If you do end up doing the program and want some pics of the holes closer up for inspiration, feel free to contact me off list. Hope this helps! Cari Fry Youth & Teen Services Department Head William P. Faust Public Library of Westland 6123 Central City Parkway Westland, MI 48185 734-326-6123, ext. 2844 cari.fry@westlandlibrary.org<mailto:cari.fry@westlandlibrary.org> From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Jean Fellows via Michlib-l Sent: Friday, September 16, 2022 10:18 AM To: Maggie McKeithan <mmckeithan@sllib.org> Cc: Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Mini-golf at the library? I think this sounds like a great idea-- would love to hear more! On Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 10:11 AM Maggie McKeithan via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> wrote: My Friends group is exploring the idea of mini-golf through the stacks as a fundraiser. If you've done this before, I would love any pros/cons about it. I'm also looking for recommendations for a company that would come in to set up the course, provide the putters/balls, etc. or if you did it yourself. Any resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Maggie Maggie McKeithan Library Director she/her (616) 846-5770 x1161 123 E. Exchange, Spring Lake, Michigan 49456 [https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1RPyC2qmX87DtQEPCHyfgg2vPZloAmpT5&revid=0B7jHndn389V7NTJ3dGVQQnZ4bzVZcGVlZ2tSM3J4SnFSOW9zPQ] [facebook icon]<https://www.facebook.com/SpringLakeDistrictLibrary/> [instagram icon] <https://www.instagram.com/springlakedistrictlibrary/> sllib.org<http://sllib.org/> _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l -- Jean Fellows Programming Coordinator Grand Ledge Area District Library 131 E. Jefferson St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837 517-627-7014