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.
APPLY NOW: LTC Engagement Grant
Apply now for a new annual grant to support innovative community engagement efforts in libraries.
Reflections on Year 2 of Skills for Community-Centered Libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia looks at the evaluation results of their Community-Centered Libraries initiative as it plans for the future.
Hosting a 'Stranger Things' Escape Room
You don't need a lot of space or money to host a themed escape room, but being a superfan helps.
APPLY NOW: Facilitation Training
An ALA initiative helps small and rural library staff develop the communication skills they need to thrive.
Building Community in a School Library
Students should feel welcome in their library. Luckily, programming is a great way to build community.
Public Humanities in Public Libraries
Hannah Schmidl from Princeton Public Library explains why libraries are the perfect place to connect people to thought-provoking humanities work.
Grant Prep: 6 Things to Do Before Starting
Finding and applying for grants can be a slog, but it’s easier with some advance preparation.
4 Writing Prompts to Break the Ice
Help patrons of all ages find their stories — not only as readers, but as writers.
Reel ‘Em In! Get Secondary Students Hooked on Self-Selected Titles
Encourage teens to get excited about reading with these tips from school librarians Donna Mignardi and Jennifer Sturge.
The Library as 'Force Multiplier': Finals at the UT-Knoxville Library
An academic library shares its approach to program planning, risk taking and putting students first.
Fun Ways to Advertise Library Programs
If you advertise it, they will come ... won't they? Use these tips to get new faces in the door.
Free Health Resources for Public Libraries
The Public Library Association shares free health tools and resources in the spirit of Health Literacy Month.