Articles

Catch up on the latest in library programming news.

It’s Not Just Book Clubs Anymore: A Brief History of ALA’s Public Programs Office

For 34 years, the Public Programs Office encouraged libraries to think beyond the status quo—and gave them the resources to do just that.

8 Tips for Financial Fitness from Programming Librarians

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.

9 Tips for Staying Organized from Busy Programming Librarians

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.

PLA Conference 2026: Recommended Sessions for Programming Librarians

Public library workers from across the country will meet in Minneapolis at PLA Conference 2026 from April 1 – 3. Here are our recommended sessions for programming librarians.

Mar 1, 2019

Community Conversations

Learning about the community's rich history provides a springboard to community engagement at a Manhattan library branch.

Feb 28, 2019

Resources to Support OER Programming in Your Library

From animal photos to open textbooks, these links will help you find open educational resources for your students or patrons.

Feb 28, 2019

Advertising, Marketing & Making Connections

Big programs call for big marketing. Here's how one library promoted a huge series for older adults.

Feb 28, 2019

Small-Town Library, Big-Time Author

How did tiny Meservey Public Library get a free visit from a bestselling author? Two words: they asked.

Feb 27, 2019

Small Library, Big Community: Soup and Sound

Slater Public Library is small, but they have all the space they need for this community-building dinner program.

Feb 26, 2019

Get a Jump on Spring: Gardening Programs

With spring on the horizon, February is prime time for gardening programs in libraries.

Feb 11, 2019

The Leaders We Have Been Waiting For

The Free Library of Philadelphia is fostering relationships with the community through staff training and community organizers.

Feb 8, 2019

Talk to Us about Fundraising

Take a brief survey to help ALA Emerging Leaders learn about library fundraising efforts.

Feb 8, 2019

Spring into Break at Your Library

Chances are, you'll have a crowd of kids at your library for spring break. Are you ready for them?

Feb 7, 2019

Learning from Program Flops

Massive program failure? We've all been there. Don't dwell on your mistakes — learn from them.

Feb 4, 2019

APPLY NOW: 2019 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award

School libraries are invited to apply for a $5,000 award recognizing outstanding programming in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Feb 4, 2019

100 Days/100 Books

To celebrate the 100th day of school, students make a fun activity out of reading 100 books in one hour.