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.
Request Your Free Poster Exhibition
While supplies last, the Smithsonian is offering a free World War I poster exhibition to libraries.
Deepfakes: What They Are, Why They Matter
Deepfakes add a layer to our media literacy landscape. How can we help kids decipher fact from fiction?
Gardening for Kids Programs Grow Community Connections
A Free Library of Philadelphia branch hosts a kids' gardening program as part of the system's Community-Centered Libraries initiative.
Libraries Rock
Haven't heard of the craze for painting and hiding rocks? You might be living under, well … a boulder.
A Small (but Mighty) Makerspace
Griswold Public Library — a small library — wanted a makerspace. They ended up making two.
Relight Your Programming Fire
From the old faithfuls to the less obvious, here's a list of spots to hit up when you need program ideas.
Engaging Community Partners in Program Planning
A Free Library of Philadelphia librarian shares how community engagement training helped her learn to ignite lasting partner relationships.
Improving Services for New Americans
More than half of new Americans use a public library more than once a week. How can we help them thrive?
Biking through History at the Library
Move a little, learn a little. Libraries are embracing programs that combine biking and local history.
The Power of Community Conversations
Erika R. Martinez shares how her library learned about, and worked to overcome, customers' feelings of disconnect in a fast-changing city.
Comics & Cosplay Club: An Itinerary
Malvern Public Library's Comics & Cosplay Club nights offer some fun, some learning and some friendly competition.
Top Terrific Takeaway Programming Ideas from ALA 2019
School librarians share the best programming ideas they took away from 2019 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC.