Kids Camp with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
San Francisco Public Library, Calif.
Innovation Synopsis
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and the San Francisco Public Library present Kids Camp — a fun and free way for families to watch great films together during the summer months in a historic San Francisco theater. Films are selected by librarians and screenings include book giveaways and pre-show, movie-themed crafts with library staff.
Challenge/Opportunity
By partnering with a major, national arts company the library extends its outreach and marketing opportunities by promoting library services and its summer learning program to a wider audience. Library staff have the freedom to select films, lead related craft activities and host screenings. Families can view classic films, such as The Princess Bride and The Neverending Story for free on a big screen while learning about free summer programs at the library.
Key Elements of Innovation
- Library staff select family-friendly films.
- Screenings are hosted by SFPL staff who interact with movie-goers before the screenings, engaging with kids and families in STEM-based crafts that fit the film themes.
- SFPL introduces the screenings on stage and promotes library services and Summer Stride.
- Alamo Drafthouse promotes the library and Summer Stride on their social media platforms and on their website. Alamo plays the library’s Summer Stride trailer before the screenings.
Achieved Outcomes
Seven hundred forty three people attended 11 screenings during Kids Camp 2017. On Facebook, 11 Kids Camp social media posts reached 18,275 people and 1,541 people actively engaged with the posts — the highest engagement rate on the library’s Facebook page during that timeframe. The free film series is particularly successful with summer day camps; many of the screenings are filled with Boys & Girls Club members. Any SFPL staff member could host a Kids Camp screening.