©2017 Rochester Downtown Alliance. All Rights Reserved

BOOKWORM WALK PROGRAM RECAP

2017

Bookworm Walk June 13 – September 11, 2017

Rochester Public Library & Riverwalk Downtown Rochester

Planting a Rainbow By Lois Ehlert

June 13 – July 28

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! By Candance Fleming & Brian Karas

July 29 – September 11

ABOUT The Bookworm Walk was a children's reading walk which featured two children's books over the course of the summer. The route - set in flower planters, kicked-off on June 13 with garden-themed ribbon cutting by Mayor Ardell Brede outside of the entrance to the Rochester Public Library. The route ran along the Riverwalk, and ended at a water feature across from the Government Center.

OBJECTIVE

Provide a family-friendly activity and encourage development of reading skills in a unique format for

residents and visitors while downtown.

STRATEGIC AREAS ADDRESSED

Programming (passive) Collaborations Stakeholder Relations

PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS Fast Signs of Rochester Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center

MARKETING

Press Release distributed May 15, 2017

Earned Media ▪ KSMQ, R-Town, Episode 406 (taped video segment,

kick-off event) ▪ “Playtime in downtown Rochester,” 507 Magazine ▪ Rochester MN Moms Blog, Instagram Post ▪ University of Minnesota Rochester, Instagram Post ▪ Rochester Now, Facebook Post ▪ Quick Country 96.5, Facebook Post ▪ Olmsted County WIC Program, Facebook Post ▪ Fast Signs of Rochester, Facebook Post

Social Media ▪ RDA Facebook Page – Organic Content

• June 9: o 9,963 total reach o 135 reactions, comments, & shares o 331 post clicks

▪ RDA Facebook Page – Ads

• June 13 – June 20 o 11,709 total reach o 207 reactions, comments, & shares o 506 post clicks

• July 27 – July 30 o 7,129 total reach o 65 reactions, comments, & shares o 134 post clicks

• Highest ad engagement among women, 25-64 years of age

Print ▪ 2,100 brochure maps distributed. Distribution

points included: Peace Plaza Info Kiosk, Doubletree Hotel, the Library, the BookBike, the Bookmobile, and various community events.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

“Thanks for a spontaneous stroll on a

lovely day! Had not known waterfall was even there.” “Please do more stories!!!”

“Loved it! Connected to community and

connected to my children without any

technology. Loved it!” “We loved it! Would love doing it again! And we would love if there were more! My new reader was even able to read most of the pages

to us! It was a unique way to practice reading and make it fun!”

PUBLIC SURVEY (76 total responses from Facebook Survey calling out Bookworm Walk users)

I am a… 100% Rochester residents How did you first hear about the Bookworm Walk? 43.4% Inside the Rochester Public Library 42.1% Social Media 6.6% DowntownRochesterMN.com How many times did you do the Bookworm Walk? 84.2% 1-2 times 13.2% 3-4 times 2.6% 4-5 times Age ranges of the children that participated in the Bookworm Walk? 48.7% Preschool 47.4% Toddler 39.5% Elementary 21.1% Infant Which of the following best describes your relationship to the child/children who participated in the Bookworm Walk? 84.2% Parent 3.9% Grandparent 2.6% Aunt Did the Bookworm Walk make you feel more connected to the community? 84.2% Yes How likely are you to refer the Bookworm Walk to a friend? 76.3% Very likely 22.4% Somewhat likely Would you like to see the Bookworm Walk happen again? 98.7% Yes

Bookworm Walk Survey Prize