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.
'Native Voices' Exhibition
Apply to host a traveling exhibition exploring Native Peoples' concepts of health and illness.
The Art of Library Welcoming
We want library patrons to feel comfortable at our programs, right? Start with the right welcome announcements.
Arts & Culture on a Budget
Arts & Culture Coordinator Veronica Funk shares how she offers programming on a tight budget.
School's Back In Session: Let's Play!
Inspire playfulness and help combat back-to-school stress with these fun teen program ideas.
Hooray for Bollywood
Programming that draws upon part of your library collection can actually be fun, Dana Vinke proves.
Columbus Public Library Gets Benched
Artists in a Wisconsin town partner with the library as part of an effort to unite residents and the city.
Kinetic Literacy
Discover the importance of kinetic literacy and why it is an essential component of library programming.
Busy Books: Utilizing the Power of Crowdfunding
An Ohio library is harnessing the power of Kickstarter to fund an early literacy project.
Small Libraries; Big Difference
A "solo librarian" explains what it's like to be in charge of everything.
Want to Know Your Community?
To truly get to know your constituents, experience their community the way they do.
Discover Your Inner Frankenstein
FrankenHeroes lets teens swap and combine parts from different toys to make their own creations.
One Year Later in Ferguson, Mo.
The director of Ferguson Public Library shares how things have changed since the shooting of Michael Brown.