25 Ready-To-Use Sustainable Living Programs for Libraries by
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, library patrons of all ages are becoming ever more interested in sustainability and self-reliance topics. And libraries are enhancing their programming to embrace these timely concerns by organizing instructional workshops, forming gardening clubs, creating community gardens, building beekeeping exhibits, teaching patrons about reducing waste and sustainable food sources, and more. Drawing on real-world initiatives from public, school, and academic libraries across the country, this all-in-one guide walks you through how to plan, organize, and run sustainable living programs at your own library. Complete with a materials and equipment list, budget, and recommendations for age ranges and type of library, the programs you'll learn about include Mason jar hydroponic gardening, straw bale gardening, growing vegetables outside in winter, and a variety of other gardening activities; sharing fixing skills and fostering sustainable culture through repair events; family-friendly programs such as how to make rolled beeswax candles and glycerin soap; upcycled jewelry for teens and adults; a hands-on canning workshop; making herbal tea blends; how to start a food waste collection, the basics of composting, raising chicks and chickens, and more homesteading programs; and coordinating gardening and sustainability programs with local experts.
50+ Fandom Programs by
This book of ready-to-go programs and events will help public libraries give fans who are passionate about genres, characters, games, and book series plenty of reasons to return to the library again and again. Fandom programming can require planning across departments, tie-ins to collections and community partnerships, and targeted marketing. But the fun content cooked up by the three best-selling authors in this guide makes it easy to stay organized every step of way, with events broken down into components that streamline planning and facilitates coordination. Adaptable for a wide range of ages, this resourcecovers all the basics of how to host a fandom event, including prep time, length of program, number of patrons, budget, and supplies needed;suggests an age range (tweens, teens, millennials, older adults) for each program while also offering ways to tailor it to different groups;presents such imaginative and engaging programming ideas as 50 Shades of Hot Books, Old School Video Games, Women in Comics, Creating Steampunk Outfits, Superhero School, and many more;provides ideas for perennial fan favorites like Harry Potter, horror stories, and sports; andgives tips on how to stay current with what's popular and ways to incorporate popular activities like cosplay, trivia, and movie-oke;Filled with projects and ideas that can be used with a variety of fandoms and interests, this programming book will ensure both quick planning and great turnout.
50+ Programs for Tweens, Teens, Adults, and Families by
Public library programmers, marketers, and staff across the country have relied on their previous books for fun and engaging offerings that draw patrons in and keep them excited about visiting the library again and again. Now this team of best-selling authors is back with an all-new calendar of ready-to-go programs guaranteed to provide fun all year round. They also offer a series of themed programs specially designed for clubs, with pointers on hosting meetings of clubs and activities that compliment these gatherings. Best of all, their ideas are easily adaptable for a variety of participants, including tweens, teens, millennials, older adults, and families. Complete with planning lists, budgeting guidance, and marketing advice, this book includes delightful programs such as Rememberlutions, Prom Formalwear Giveaway, Cooking with a Waffle Iron, Life Hacks for Living On Your Own, Preschool for Adults, Upcycled Friendsgiving, and many others; club ideas like Parenting Teens, STEAM Club, 5K Club, Crafterwork, and Service Club; suggestions of variations for different age groups; and tips on building interest in the topic prior to the event using trivia and other free games. Packed with an assortment of flexible ideas for youth, adults, and family engagement, this book's programs will help cultivate enthusiasm for public libraries every month of the year.
209 Big Programming Ideas for Small Budgets by
Published in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries When you're a solo librarian or only have a few volunteers to rely on (with a tiny budget to match) you've got to make the most of everything. With creativity, flexibility, and heart, you can be the anchor your community needs, offering programming that engages people of all ages and backgrounds. In this book Price, whose library serves a town with a population of less than 300, shares dozens of ideas that have helped to triple attendance numbers in a three-year period, alongside many more suggestions from other libraries across the country. You'll learn how fun and easy DIY programming can be, inspiring you to use passive programming like scavenger hunts and Lego towers to engage your patrons no matter when they visit your library; adapt one of the dozens of low- or no-cost programs included, from library decorating parties and teen taste-tests to a local history night and a mini-golf tournament; celebrate the different seasons of the year with ideas tied to a variety of holidays; jump-start your outreach efforts by partnering with health clinics, museums, restaurants, local businesses, and other organizations and individuals in your community; collaborate with your school district through initiatives like reading challenges and information literacy field trips; get the word out using fliers, advertising, word of mouth marketing, your library's website, and social media; avoid burnout and deal with stress, with suggestions for self-care and reinvigoration; and host a benefit, launch a fundraising drive, or apply for grants using the tips and information provided in the book. No matter their size, libraries are the lifeblood of their communities. Armed with this book's ideas and guidance, yours will be sure to connect successfully with the people you serve.
Adults Just Wanna Have Fun by
Public librarians are hungry for practical, how-to pieces on revitalizing and inspiring adult programming. Adult Services librarians are no longer sitting passively behind the reference desk; they are constantly seeking new, exciting ways to engage every part of their communities. This book pulls together a wealth of concrete, actionable programs and ideas in a format accessible to all librarians.
Advancing a Culture of Creativity in Libraries by
Today's library workers have many roles to play: information gatekeepers, connectors, collaborators, and storytellers. The key ingredient is creativity, which acts as the lynchpin of functioning successfully as a team as well as impacting communities in positive ways. This book examines creativity and how it can be applied in library work culture, programming, and outreach. Lotts shows how libraries can encourage staff to approach teaching, learning, and problem-solving in unconventional ways. This invigorating book demonstrates why the challenges of our current historical moment provide us with a unique opportunity to stop and consider our work and our goals; dives into several case studies of creative and playful library projects, many of which can be adapted for reuse, investigating how they came to be and the impact they have had on their communities; discusses getting buy-in from administrators and funding organizations; offers pointers on collaborating with communities; guides readers in assessing the impact projects have on communities; and talks about how to learn and grow from failure and frustration.
Beyond Books by
This book will enable librarians to prepare effective programs that already have proven results, decreasing stress, prep time, and the feeling of being overwhelmed that can result from trying to come up with new ideas on a deadline.
Book Club Reboot by
Is your book club feeling stale or uninspired? Has attendance dropped, or are you struggling to keep your patrons engaged? What you need is a reboot. This resource published in cooperation with ALA's Public Programs Office profiles dozens of successful book clubs across the country. Its diverse cross-section of ideas will inspire you to rethink your reading groups and try out new ways to better meet your library's and community's needs. Drawn from responses collected through social media, electronic mailing lists, e-newsletters, websites, as well as the authors' own research, this book outlines the main reasons that traditional book clubs can grow stagnant over time and offers concrete advice on how to change things up; shares such real-world initiatives as a "walk and talk" book club, book clubs held in non-library spaces like ferries and bars, a discussion group for presidential history buffs, programming for people with developmental disabilities, a partnership with a health clinic network, and many others; includes programs from a wide range of library types (public, school, academic) and sizes; features short, easily scannable chapters that are convenient for browsing; and provides a handy list of resources for additional information. You'll find the keys to creating a book club your community will love among the abundance of ideas offered in this book.
Gather 'Round the Table by
Food is more than just a basic human need--learning about it and enjoying it can be important social activities. With ties to information needs, social justice, and the maker movement, food literacy initiatives are a natural fit for libraries. And, as this book demonstrates, efforts can extend far beyond a hearty collection of cookbooks in the stacks. Food programming such as cooking can be an important tool in helping English language learners discover a practical use for a new language, as well as providing opportunities for socialization and conversation. It can be used to help GED seekers practice basic math. And, playing with food can be a sensory-integrative way to help new parents and their babies learn about healthy food choices. Featuring a multi-pronged approach to incorporating food literacy in public, school, and special libraries, this all-in-one resource presents a definition of food literacy that shows how the concept touches upon important topics such as culinary skills, food security, nutrition and dieting, food allergies, health literacy, and food ethics; discusses the community impacts of food-related issues; walks readers through planning and undertaking a community food assessment, a process that can be used to identify a need, justify a service response, build buy-in and engagement, and plan for the allocation of resources; shares a variety of innovative food literacy programs drawn from libraries across the country, from cookbook and recipe clubs to an edible education garden, teen cooking classes, and offsite cooking demos; and provides information about additional resources and reference sources relating to the culinary world, including advice on collection development. Serving up a wholesome combination of food literacy information and ideas, this book will encourage members of your community to gather 'round the table at the library.
Get Your Community Moving by
By helping patrons view the library in a new way, movement-based programs bring new people into libraries, help promote community health, and stimulate literacy for children and adults alike. And the data show that they work: nearly 90% of public libraries said their movement-based programs had brought new users into their libraries, according to a recent study, while 80% said the programs contributed to community building. Carson, a professional yoga teacher who has been leading movement-based programs in schools, libraries, and museums for over a decade, presents a guidebook for serving library patrons of all ages, both mind and the body together. Filled with detailed strategies, proven program models, and real-life case studies, her book describes the concept of physical literacy and explains why it matters, using both research and library testimonials; shares tips for building enthusiasm among library staff, training, marketing, partnering with community organizations, and handling patron feedback; shows how to get started regardless of staffing or budget limitations, with hints for sneaking physical literacy into existing spaces and initiatives; includes programs for children and families, such as ABC Boom!, storytime fun runs, and a healthy nutrition lecture and tasting; outlines a Water Wars! party, a Quidditch match, an earth walk, and other programs that convert teens' energy into healthy movement; demonstrates ways that adults can also get moving, from gym passes and walk/run clubs to ballroom dancing; guides libraries on involving special populations through outreach and inreach; and provides checklists for prep, teardown, tie-ins, and followup. This book is essential reading for any programming librarian, administrator, or community coordinator looking to boost circulation stats, program numbers, literacy rates, and foster joy and wellness in their community.
Great Library Events by
Libraries and library staff are constantly in the process of expanding and adapting services in order to remain responsive to their varied user communities. As part of this trend, there is an increasing emphasis on providing a wide variety of programs and events; this service expansion has been met with broad enthusiasm by library users everywhere. Great Library Events: From Planning to Promotion to Evaluation, with its holistic approach to program provision, serves as an indispensable companion for anyone responsible for event or program planning in their organization. The guide moves through a program's lifecycle, beginning with the initial steps of defining an event's scope, ensuring inclusivity, and constructing measurable objectives. It follows with practical considerations such as finding funding, publicizing, assessing outcomes, reporting, and using data to keep the program cycle going. To support each of these steps, and to help ensure successful initiatives, practical examples, templates, and tools are provided throughout. While this book is aimed at library managers and programming staff, it will be helpful for anyone responsible for event or program planning in their organization, whether they are new to the task or seasoned professionals.
Incubating Creativity at Your Library by
Creativity needs a platform. As technology consultant David Weinberger puts it, "A platform provides resources that lets other people build things." The library is an ideal platform, and in this book Batykefer and Damon-Moore, creators of the Library as Incubator Project, share the experiences of numerous creative library workers and artists who are making it happen. Their stories will show you how to move beyond merely responding to community needs towards actively building a platform with your community. And best of all, you don't need to start from scratch--rather, you amplify what's already working. Filled with ideas and initiatives that can be customized to suit your library and its community, this book discusses the four elements (Resources, Invitations, Partnerships & Engagement, and Staff) and the two lenses (Community-Led and Evaluation) of the Creative Library platform; outlines six steps for surveying your community's artistic landscape; gives methods for expanding partnerships and connections with individuals and organizations through exploration, hands-on learning, and engagement with the community; shares perspectives on the "ideal library" from several artists, with three examples of artist-in-residence programs; offers examples of community invitations in action, such as the Pittsburgh Fiberarts Guild workshops on creating flowers using recycled materials; shows how to use "orphan photos" from your archives for creative inspiration; advises on using qualitative evaluations to effectively "weed" your initiatives; and shares tips for encouraging library staff to express their creativity, turning avocations into library initiatives like Handmade Crafternoons, the Yahara Music Library, or BOOKLESS. By building on existing elements at your library and filling in the gaps with community-driven additions, your library can be a space that cultivates creativity in both its users and staff.
Let's Roll by
Master all the skills you need to deliver a tabletop role-playing game programme in the library! For librarians or teachers who aren't players themselves, the scope of role-playing games can seem overwhelming. Starting from the basics, Let's Roll is a practical guide to delivering a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) programme in a school or public library, all within the time constraints imposed on library sessions. Coverage includes: A step-by-step guide to setting up a TTRPG programme in your school or public library including an example of a TTRPG proposal Advice on bringing senior management on board to a TTRPG programme How to attract players, basic table rules, and preparing as a game master The health and learning benefits of TTRPGs including creativity, teamwork, cooperation, boosting confidence and encouraging reading. A comprehensive list of TTRPG games and how to implement them Featuring case studies from librarians around the world focusing on their experiences setting up TTRPGs, Let's Roll will help librarians, teachers and other educators deliver an engaging programme that results in significant benefits on a budget - and is a huge amount of fun!
Library Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities by
Public libraries everywhere have embraced inclusion and expanded their programming for youth with disabilities, especially autism. It's imperative that libraries also offer rich and age-appropriate initiatives for adults with developmental disabilities; after all, as youth now served by their libraries grow up and reach adulthood, they will continue to want and expect libraries to be responsive to their needs. Klipper and Banks, two librarians with a long-standing focus on inclusivity, combine research-based theory and an introduction to best practices with details on how to replicate field-tested programs for adults with developmental disabilities (DD). Readers will learn key ideas about DD, such as an examination and debunking of commonly held stereotypes and misconceptions about people with DD and the role ableism plays in perpetuating them; be introduced to self-advocates and their ways of viewing DD, including terminology and the Neurodiversity movement; get pointers on how to create a culture of inclusion at the library, with discussions of Universal Design and UDL, staff training, and anticipating the unexpected; explore the needs of adults with DD who are also LGBTQA+, people of color, immigrants and English language learners, seniors, those with dual diagnoses, and other aspects of intersectionality in library programming; understand how to build on and modify existing children's and YA practice to ensure that library users with DD receive age-appropriate and respectful library service; learn how to make virtual programming accessible and which programs can be successfully brought online; discover a myriad of programs ready to adapt for their own libraries, such as Sensory Storytime for adults, book clubs, arts and crafts programs, adaptive gaming, job skills workshops, cooking programs, and many more; see how programming for adults with DD works in academic libraries; and gain skills for outreach and keeping current, with guidance on forming and strengthening partnerships, advocacy, fundraising, marketing, and additional resources for deepening knowledge of DD.
Mapping the Imaginary by
Information professionals and educators can help patrons find their own stories in libraries--not only as readers, but also as writers. Stories, whether fiction, nonfiction, or verse, often have research behind them, and libraries and archives constitute powerful resources that authors can tap into for adding historical background, telling details, dramatic tension, and unexpected ideas. Grounded in useful collections and information resources, libraries can welcome writers through informed programming and knowledgeable reference services, and in this book the authors point the way towards making it happen. Enabling programming and outreach librarians, reference staff, and educators to understand writers' needs and showing how to address these needs through library services and resources, this book draws on specific writing situations to illustrate the role of librarians and library resources in inspiring and creating stories of all kinds, from novels and plays to poetry, memoirs, and nonfiction; provides dozens of prompts, writing exercises, and activities that libraries can utilize for outreach and programming endeavors such as NaNoWriMo and National Poetry Month; offers astute observations on the connections between research and writing and discusses a wide range of resources, both print and electronic, that can address writers' information needs; presents select bibliographies on writing and writers' lives integral to library collections that support a community of authors; demonstrates how to use reference interviews as part of the research process; suggests ways to cultivate a writing community at the library by hosting writing groups, staging author events, and other initiatives; and shares advice on recruiting volunteers by reaching out to writers and teachers within the community. With ideas and advice on programming, reference, and collection resources, this guide will support libraries' efforts to actively and thoughtfully engage with writers in their communities.
The Passive Programming Playbook by
This book offers 101 passive programming ideas that are extendable, adaptable, customizable, and above all, stealable--so your passive programming never runs dry. Passive programming is a cheap, quick, fun way to make all library customers feel like part of the community. It can support reading initiatives, foster family engagement, encourage visit frequency, and coax interaction out of library lurkers--while barely making a dent in your programming budget. Passive programming can be targeted at children, teens, adults, or seniors; used to augment existing programs; and executed in places where staff-led programming can't reach. It can be light-footed, spontaneous, and easily deployed to reflect and respond to current news, media, library events, and even the weather. But even passive programming pros run out of ideas sometimes, and when that happens, they want a fresh, funny source of inspiration. Make programming less intimidating Get the most bang for your buck from whatever resources you have available Make diverse customers feel welcome and seen Encourage repeat/regular library visits Boost your programming statistics
Rainy Day Ready by
A survey from the American Psychological Association shows that money is a more frequent cause of worry than work, family, or health issues. Empowering people with the knowledge to make sound financial decisions is an important way to make a difference in your community, and many libraries across the country are doing just that. Drawing from the expertise of business librarians and ALA's Public Programs Office (PPO), this book is a ready-to-use guide for offering financial literacy initiatives at your own library. Presenting 16 model programs from a variety of institutions, complete with budgets and funding sources, this resource shares resources for free outreach materials and training; approaches to Money Smart Week from institutions such as public libraries, a tribal library, and community colleges; tips for developing partnerships with members of the local business community; ways to facilitate discussions between parents and children about finances, such as creating a play and learn career center for children using the Family Place model; programming for teens, including a Harry Potter-themed financial literacy series; a program where a banker advises college students on questions to ask when shopping for credit cards; how to collaborate with health and social services agencies in order to reach immigrants and underserved populations; and methods for evaluating and strengthening a personal finance collection. Using these model programs and tools, you'll be taking steps to ensure that your library's users are rainy day ready.
Senior Services Today by
Senior Services Today will help library staff provide excellent services and programs for older adults. This practical guide's purpose will guide libraries and seniors in cultivating symbiotic relationships with a key community by intwining the library's core mission with seniors' personal values.
A Year of Programs for Millennials and More by
Needless to say, programming for teens can be a dubious fit for library users in their 20s; and what appeals to Baby Boomers isn't necessarily ideal for those in their 30s and 40s. Millennials deserve their own programs. This handy guide specifically targets those on the cusp of the born-digital generation and their peers, offering up a year's worth of programming suitable for both public and academic libraries. Organized by monthly clubs or monthly themed events, a format that makes planning and execution a snap, this resource Provides an overview of what those in their 20s, 30, and 40s want from libraries and how best to reach them Gives tips for extending popular teen programs to older teens and those in their 20s Presents start-to-finish programs sure to be a big draw, such as a "pub trivia" night, recipe scrapbooking meetup, retro craft club, old school gaming sessions, writer's workshops, and community college networking events Shows how to program on a tight budget by making the most of the library's existing collection and resources Offers tips on marketing, outreach, and followup The fun and popular programs contained in this guide will help libraries become social and cultural cornerstones for the millennials in their communities.