Program Inspiration: 9 Sources Not to Overlook (VIDEO)

TRANSCRIPT:

When it comes to programs, you want to think thematically. Launch points for ideas can come from a variety of places. Here are nine sources not to overlook.

First, national anniversaries. Consult a book like Chase's Calendar of Events. Or look for an online holiday list that lists unique celebrations like National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. You could select a president's birthday, commemorate a war or conflict, or select Women's History Month.

Consider staff interests. We know it's not always about the librarian. It's about the patrons and the public that we serve. But interest, hobbies, and passion projects of the staff can lead to great and creative ideas for programs.

For current events, reach out to a local community group and ask them to talk about an issue that's on their mind. It could be immigration, it could be housing, it could overlap with a social services need, or it could be something completely different that's just in the zeitgeist, and you want your library to be the forum in which everyone comes to talk about it.

Community need is not the same as social services. This includes things like, "We need someone to explain the zoning laws in town. Can someone teach us how to enroll our preschoolers in Pre-K? Can we have a storm preparedness session because hurricane season is upon us?" Social service gaps are already covered on a daily basis from a variety of public libraries, but these can include how to find a job, how to apply for benefits, elder care or memory care, social development, child care, or literacy.

Don't forget about literary movements. A classic library theme. A great author's birth or death anniversary, such as Jane Austen, Mark Twain, The Transcendentalists, Magical Realism, or The Enlightenment.

Local history is always a hit. If someone can tell the story of their community, you're guaranteed to have an audience. And if the local history room is in your library, it's a great time to include a tour.

And while we're talking about people, remember people in the community. Focus on them. Perhaps you have a veteran, a local business owner, a multi-generational family farm, or someone who has accomplished something unique and special in the community. They'd make a fabulous program.

Leave room for serendipity. Something unexpected or wonderful could come up through a conversation, an email chain, or just a regular everyday library transaction, and you can design a program around that.

So think of national anniversaries, staff interests, current events, community need, social service gaps, literary movements, local history, and people in the community. Leave a little room for serendipity, and your program calendar is sure to be full.

Knowledge of the Community and Creativity are two of the nine programming competencies identified by ALA's National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA).

This article is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number RE-256725-OLS-24.