Our New Look
Welcome to the new (and, we think, improved) Programming Librarian!
Not to worry — beyond looks, not too much has changed. Programming Librarian, a website run by ALA’s Public Programs Office, is still here to provide you with everything you need to share, learn and be inspired to present excellent library programming for your communities.
Apply Now: Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award
School librarians are invited to apply for a $5,000 award recognizing outstanding humanities programming in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Previously for school libraries serving grades K-8, this year’s Jaffarian Award is the first to include eligibility for school libraries also serving grades 9-12.
Nominations for the 2024 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award will be accepted until May 1, 2024.
8 Things Librarians Should Know: Working with Juvenile Detention Facilities
Things were going well with Amelia Jenkins’ teen book club. Conversations were flowing, and the kids were getting more comfortable with each meeting. Jenkins found a short story perfect for group discussion, so she printed out copies. When she arrived at the book club, story printouts in hand and ready to get started, the packets were confiscated – the story would not be read that day. Why? Staples. Jenkins had stapled the packets together.
Moving Away From the Barrier of Program Registration While Keeping Free of Chaos
For many years, public libraries required phone or walk-in program registration to regulate the number of attendees and who to expect. It was a cumbersome process with no-shows and waiting lists, but it was a routine that had yet to be evaluated.
Are Libraries Neutral?
The media often focuses on how libraries are safe spaces. How true is this idea?
Tools to Support Hybrid Audience Engagement
Check out these online tools to help maximize audience engagement in virtual or hybrid programs.
Apply Now: World on the Move
Apply now for this traveling exhibition on the timely yet timeless topic of migration and displacement.
Deepen Discussion with Primary Sources
Want to add some historical context to a book club? Try pairing primary source analysis with your programs.
Hybrid Programs in Rural Libraries
What can we learn from small and rural libraries about hybrid programming?
Analyzing Primary Sources for Program Planning
The Library of Congress has millions of free materials to incorporate into your programming.
Why Start From Scratch?
Leverage your library's existing partnerships to accomplish bigger goals and reach more people.
Free Download: Programming with Primary Sources: Women’s Suffrage
Download this free guide made to inspire and help library workers bring primary source inquiry into programming.
Deaf Community Engagement
What does the future of Deaf community engagement in the library look like? Three advocates weigh in.
Apply Now: Exploring Human Origins Traveling Exhibition
Apply now for this traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Call for Advisors: Media Literacy for Adults
ALA is seeking 6 librarian advisors to support the creation of a new media literacy guide.
Cultivating Community Outside of Class
In what ways are school and academic libraries fostering community outside of the traditional classroom setting?