Welcome to the new ProgrammingLibrarian.org!
We in the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office are happy to introduce you to our new beta site. We welcome you to explore and share your feedback; the site is a work in progress, and your insights will help us improve over the coming months. Please tell us what you think by taking a short survey or emailing us.
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Before the Public Programs Office set out to redesign this site, we talked with a number of programming librarians about what they wanted in an online community. They told us they wanted a place to share program models so libraries could build upon one another's work; an easier site architecture so they could find information more quickly; and a way to build rapport with their fellow programming librarians. We kept those goals in mind over the past six months, and are proud to share the results. We hope you will find the new design to be easier to navigate, more fun to browse, and more conducive to starting a conversation with your peers.
Among the features of the new design:
- Learn from fellow libraries: In the Program Models tab, you will find a selection of programs held at libraries around the country (and a few from Canada). Learn how libraries planned, budgeted for, marketed and executed these programs; read advice from the planners; and view photos, videos and even planning materials from the event. This information is meant to be enjoyed, adapted and shared. (Remember, imitation is the greatest form of flattery.)
- Share your own programs: Upload your own library program using the Share Your Program webform. Submissions will be reviewed and curated by PL staff.
- Browse ideas: Looking for a program that's free? Teen-friendly? A good community-builder? Use the Browse Ideas tab to filter for the content you want.
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Explore learning opportunities: Visit the Learning tab to find out about upcoming and previously archived webinars and in-person training opportunities (most of them free).
- Hear from new voices: We are thrilled to introduce a new set of Programming Librarian bloggers; you will find them under the Blogs tab. They represent public, academic, school and state libraries; hail from small towns and large urban centers; and program for a variety of ages and interests.
- Learn about grant opportunities: Visit the About page for a list of current and upcoming grant opportunities from the ALA Public Programs Office. (While you're there, learn about other ways you can get involved with PL.)
- Receive our e-newsletter: Don't forget to sign up for our bi-monthly e-newsletter.
Again, we will be working out some kinks over the coming months, so your feedback is extremely helpful to us. We have created a survey for you to share your thoughts. Please send other feedback, broken link notifications, story ideas and questions to ProgrammingLibrarian@ala.org.
We look forward to hearing from you!