The following articles correspond to the nine core competencies of library programming, as identified by ALA through the National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment: Knowledge of the Community, Interpersonal Skills, Creativity, Content Knowledge, Evaluation, Financial Skills, Outreach & Marketing, Event Planning, and Organizational Skills. For more, visit the Programming Librarian Resource Hub.
Program Inspiration: 9 Sources Not to Overlook (VIDEO)
With seemingly endless possibilities, how should you decide which programs to pursue? Tina Panik shares nine sources she uses to keep her calendar fresh and to meet the needs of her Connecticut community. [KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY + CREATIVITY]
At the Program: What to Focus on When Hosting In-Person Events (VIDEO)
Chirping phones, the presenter's pace, fluctuations in room temperature — all of these things, and more, can affect how your audience experiences an in-person program. What should you focus on in the program room to make the experience as seamless as possible? By Tina Panik. [EVENT PLANNING]
8 Tips for Financial Fitness
Tips from programming librarians on how they keep track of what they’re spending, determine whether they’re using funds wisely, and seek financial aid from outside sources. By Karen Lindell. [FINANCIAL SKILLS]
9 Tips for Staying Organized
Successful programming librarians from around the country — none formally trained in project management — share their tips, tricks, and suggestions for staying organized in a library setting. By Karen Lindell. [ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS]
Getting Started with Program Evaluation
Real, meaningful evaluation isn’t just a survey you tack on at the end of a program. It’s an integral piece of your planning process, right from the start. Once you learn to recognize the elements of evaluation and use them with intentionality, you’ll be able to continually grow the impact of your programs and your ability to tell their story. By Audrey Barbakoff. [EVALUATION]
Facilitating Meetings in Support of Your Cool New Program Idea
If you have a cool new idea for a program, chances are you have to “sell” your boss on the idea before you can move forward. All this work is likely to occur in meetings. Here's how to prepare. By Cindy Fesemyer. [INTPERSONAL SKILLS]
Engagement and Advocacy Start with Community Mapping
Taking time to understand who you know — and who you don’t know — is a great way to begin your journey toward being a community-informed programming librarian. By Cindy Fesemyer. [KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY]
The Secret to Successful Program Promotion? Data.
Picture this: You work hard to plan an awesome program, but nobody shows up. You feel totally defeated, and you aren't sure what you could've done differently. The secret to success? Data. By Kathy Dempsey. [OUTREACH & MARKETING]
Behind the Scenes with MPL’s TikTok (PROFILE)
Milwaukee Public Library's social media presence is famous beyond the library world. We went behind the scenes with the duo behind their videos. By Hannah Arata. [OUTREACH & MARKETING + CREATIVITY]
Know Your People (PROFILE)
By knowing their people, empowering staff and building strong partnerships, the Gail Borden Public Library turns every exhibit into a shared experience of learning and connection. By Hannah Arata. [KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY]
A City That Plays Together (PROFILE)
Playable at various community points, Ann Arbor District Library’s Summer Game is played by thousands of people of all ages and has become a community tradition. By Hannah Arata. [INTERPERSONAL SKILLS +CREATIVITY]
These articles are made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number RE-256725-OLS-24.