Articles

Catch up on the latest in library programming news.

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.

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.

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.

New Landscape Report on the Current State of Library Programs for Older Adults

ALA has released a new landscape report to better understand the current state of library programming for older adults.

Jan 13, 2020

The Tunnel Tour: Heading Underground

Springfield-Greene County Library's underwater creek tour brought folks into a rarely seen ecological world.

Jan 13, 2020

Rainy Day Ready: An Interview with Melanie Welch

A new book from ALA Editions explores how libraries across the country are empowering people to make sound financial decisions.

Jan 10, 2020

Earth Day 2020: The 50th Anniversary

Mark your event calendars: April 22 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and its theme is climate action.

Jan 3, 2020

Looking to Cook? Instant Pots, Supermarket Dieticians and More

Equipment demos, visits from local cafe owners and other cooking programs have been a success at rural Winterset Public Library.

Dec 27, 2019

14 Budget-Friendly Classic Tabletop Games

If your New Year's resolution is to make your dollars stretch further, take note of these recommendations.

Dec 27, 2019

Tacony Library Celebrates Community Through Their Events

Through community partnerships, a Philadelphia branch library put on a Halloween celebration attended by thousands.

Dec 23, 2019

The Fight Against 'Nature-Deficit Disorder'

Researchers and policy makers are talking about the problem of “nature-deficit disorder.” Here's how your library can help.

Dec 20, 2019

Honor the Past, Embrace the Future: Exploring Services for Veterans and Their Families

Through Skills for Community-Centered Libraries, staff at the Free Library of Philadelphia explore how they can better serve veterans.

Dec 19, 2019

Tackling the Tough Stuff at Public Libraries

Libraries are the perfect places to discuss the past — particularly histories that are contested or messy.

Dec 11, 2019

Not Today, Santa

Are you swearing off holiday programs at your library? Here are a few winter program ideas to try instead.

Dec 6, 2019

Spotlight on 'Include': Takeaways from the 2019 AASL National Conference

Inclusion was a central theme at the nation's gathering of school librarians in Louisville.

Dec 4, 2019

Reindeer Run: A Holiday Tradition

This time of year, we could all use some exercise. This festive, dress-up fun run raises money for charity.