Programming Q&A: Teen Movie Nights at Basehor Community Library
We recently spoke with Amy Schaffer, Teen Services Librarian at the Basehor Community Library in Basehor, Kansas about their popular teen movie nights. Whether you’re prepping for Teentober, or simply looking for more ideas to engage teens in your community, you can get inspired to host your own event by reading how the program is structured, how Amy picks the flicks, game-changing add-ons and more below.
How do you select titles for your teen programming?
Sometimes I have an idea in mind if I'm doing something like an interactive movie (think Rocky Horror style....just more appropriate for teens). Other times I browse the website for ideas. I do consider what has been popular in the past. In the last few years there's been a rise in popularity in movies that aren't recent releases.
Do you get teens’ input on your titles?
Yes. Normally it's in person. In non-pandemic times I have a monthly in-person meeting to get input from the teens on all the programming for the following month. There's also a discord server the teens have that I will pop into and ask questions. Sometimes a teen will just volunteer a title to me and I'll check to see if it's available.
What are some of the characteristics of successful titles for your teen programming?
Movies with humor are almost universally liked. 80s & 90s movies are fun. Bill & Ted, Addams Family & The Addams Family Values, Clue, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Something that can provide a "scare" is great too, Poltergeist, Gremlins, The Mummy. The most important thing is to choose movies teens can have fun with. Slow paced movies are almost never popular unless they're a musical. I'm mainly selecting titles they might not have seen recently. And I tend to stay away from things they might have seen dozens of times.
How is your teen movie programming structured?
I usually start setting up about a half an hour before. Teens are welcome to arrive during that time to pick out their spot. I advertise the start time but, to be honest, teens are never on time so I always secretly plan on starting 15 minutes late. I like to have a chat with them before hitting play, sometimes just to increase excitement. "Who has seen this movie?" or to give instructions if it's an interactive movie.
Do you do any add-ons for teen movie showings?
In normal times I would also provide popcorn and lots of candy. I would make the popcorn unlimited too. As long as they're eating it, I'll keep popping. I've also turned some movie nights into interactive movies. There's a lot more involved with those. You have to make prop bags for your attendees and watch the movie one or two times beforehand to write a script (unless you're lucky enough to have someone share one they've done). I've also done a Bad Movie Night where I picked a notoriously bad movie and encouraged teens to make fun of the movie, which has led to some hilarious on-going jokes between the teens.
What advice do you have for other libraries hoping to select successful titles for their teen movie programming?
Don't just look at the most recent releases. And don't choose things just because they're popular. If it's a movie everyone has seen recently, then your attendance might be lower unless you're adding something to it. For example, make a screening of “Harry Potter” interactive or have “The Greatest Showman” be a sing-a-long, etc). Choose things you can easily talk up on a fun way.
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