Photo credit: bookriot.com
I may not be a professional programmer, but during my previous position, I had the incredible opportunity to co-host our library’s Trivia Night for over five years. As someone deeply invested in trivia, this experience not only provided immense enjoyment for me but also for our patrons, who often expressed their enthusiasm for the event. It became so popular that our online registration would frequently close within a minute of opening.
We held trivia nights monthly, approximately six to nine months of the year, in collaboration with a local brewery. This arrangement benefited us by offering ample space and fostering a positive community partnership, while the brewery enjoyed a notable increase in profits. Each fall, they even crafted a special beer inspired by the library, complete with a clever name, and generously donated a portion of the sales to our institution.
At first glance, organizing a trivia night might seem simple; however, we implemented unique elements that distinguished our event from others in the area. Our approach focused on building strong connections with attendees and incorporating our humor and individuality to create a distinctive atmosphere.
If you’re considering starting a trivia program at your library, here are some strategies that significantly contributed to our success:
Determine the Ideal Duration
Finding the right balance in structuring your trivia event is crucial. Too few rounds can leave participants wanting more, while excessive rounds may lead to fatigue. Our format typically ran for two hours, consisting of six “traditional” rounds with ten questions each, alongside a picture round that teams could work on throughout the evening. After experimenting with various formats, we found this setup satisfied both staff and participants alike.
Establish Clear Guidelines
Trivia events can become quite competitive, especially in venues serving alcohol. A bit of friendly rivalry enhances the experience, but excessive competition can disrupt the flow. To maintain order, we established some guiding principles: “Limit the trash-talking,” “Send a representative to discuss any answer disputes with a staff member,” and “Do not yell or approach the question reader aggressively.” We learned the importance of these rules following a particularly lively event.
Include Diverse Topics
Unless your trivia night revolves around a very specific theme, such as “Marvel Comics” or “’80s Movies,” it’s beneficial to feature a mix of topics to engage a broader audience. Here are some effective strategies we employed:
- Get imaginative! We discovered that many of our regulars were not sports aficionados, so we created themed rounds like “Superstitions in Sports” and “March Madness,” where questions pertained to basketball players but showcased their stories rather than their sports abilities.
- Incorporate your team’s personalities. One memorable round featured songs from each staff member’s Spotify Top 10, challenging teams to identify which song belonged to which staff member.
- Encourage patron participation. We invited groups to suggest future topics, which not only aided our planning but also brought laughter over some of the outrageous ideas we received. We even initiated a recurring round called “Guys, We Can’t Do An Entire Round on This,” where questions spanned varied topics suggested by patrons.
Craft Engaging Questions
A standout feature of our trivia nights was our commitment to writing the majority of our own questions. While this required additional effort, it added a unique flair that set our trivia apart from conventional bar formats. Here are some key tips for writing compelling questions:
- Ensure a balance of easy, medium, and difficult questions in each round, leaning towards simpler options when uncertain.
- Embed context clues within the questions to give participants a better chance of guessing correctly. For instance, asking “Which classic children’s author was a youth librarian before publishing her first book?” could be transformed into “This classic children’s author was a youth librarian before releasing her first book, Henry Huggins, in 1950.” This method allows for educated guessing. (Answer: Beverly Cleary.)
- Offer opportunities for bonus points! For example, “Nirvana released three studio albums prior to Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994. Name one album, and for a bonus point, name all three.” (Answer: Bleach, Nevermind, In Utero)
- Steer clear of questions needing a specific number or date. If such a question must be posed, consider accepting answers within a reasonable range. (Example: “What year did James Patterson release Along Came a Spider, the first in the Alex Cross series? Answers within five years will be accepted.” Answer: 1993 (1988 – 1998))
The moment I realized our program was truly unique was when patrons applauded upon our arrival at the brewery. If you have the staff and time to commit to organizing a trivia night, there’s immense potential for meaningful community connections and lots of fun along the way! And if you’re ever in need of an extra trivia participant, feel free to reach out!
This content has been prepared and curated by our Editorial Desk.
This week, we shine a spotlight on a post that resonated strongly with our Managing Editor, Vanessa Diaz. Even five years on from its release, Vanessa still has strong feelings regarding American Dirt. Continue reading for an excerpt that encapsulates her perspective, and consider becoming an All Access member to unlock the full discussion.
Picture this: The United States, January 2020. A visually striking book adorned with a blue and white cover begins trending within online literary circles. The blue ink creates an elegant hummingbird motif against a creamy backdrop, evoking cultural symbolism associated with Aztec mythology. A pattern of black barbed wire, both delicate and foreboding, divides the design into segments reminiscent of Talavera tiles. The book’s presentation suggests a connection to Mexican heritage and reflects themes of migration and border experiences.
This narrative follows a bookstore owner in Acapulco, Mexico, who must flee when a drug cartel violently claims her family during a quinceañera, leaving her and her young son to navigate the perilous journey to the U.S. border. Their journey, filled with trials and encounters with fellow migrants, is framed as not only an engaging story but a pivotal immigration narrative celebrated as the book of the season. Oprah has even celebrated it, garnering endorsements from notable figures like Salma Hayek and acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros, who lauded it as “the great novel of Las Américas.”
Now, over five years later, the legacy of this book continues to evoke strong emotions in me.
Join us as an All Access member for just $6/month and click here to unlock the complete article. Enhance your reading experience with All Access membership and delve into a wide range of exclusive content, including essential reads, in-depth analyses, and reading challenges.
Source
bookriot.com