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Modifying Bullet Journaling for Everyday Organization

A bullet journal

Programming is the ultimate time balancing act. How do you do it all? If you’re like me, it’s a mix of very carefully planning and plunging wildly headfirst into your to-do list. Both require a level of organization that you have to consistently keep up with. Bullet journaling is my personal pie-in-the-sky of organization; however, I find it requires too much of a time commitment to do it exactly how I'd like to.

Priorities, Growth Mindsets and Program Design: Top Three Things I Learned from PLA 2018

PLA 2018 Conference logo

A lot of the 2018 PLA Conference for me was sharpening the tools I have in my toolbox to ensure I am standing on a firm foundation when designing and implementing programming. Can I speak to how the programs I am doing align with the mission of my library? How do I know that I am actually doing what my community wants? There is a lot of information I am still digesting and sorting through, but below are the top three lessons that I am working on putting into practice.

Winter Festival of Gifts: A Season of Giving

WFoG Table with gifts

A food drive with a twist, Winter Festival of Gifts (WFoG) has become a beloved annual tradition at Mount Prospect Public Library (MPPL) as a means to creatively give back to the community, while at the same time highlighting staff talent. The giveaway takes place at a special December luncheon during work hours. The prizes are handed out to the winners at the luncheon, or placed by their desk if they are unable to attend. Diane Davis, pioneer of the program, took time to share the ins and outs of this celebration of giving.

Free Photo Editors to Use for Your Graphics

Photo editing on a laptop: Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

A surprising amount of graphic design goes into a programming librarian's job, from creating signage for upcoming programs to repackaging photos you took at an event. Navigating these tasks is easier when you have plenty of free tools at your disposal.

There are a lot of great free photo editor tools available, but it can be hard to find one site or program that will do everything you need. Below, I outline three different tools that have helped me with display signage, web content creation and photo repackaging.

5 'Garnishes' to Add to Your Booktalk Programs for Adults

Picture of Booktalk Ideas Header

A lot of work goes into putting together a successful booktalk program — from developing a theme, to paying attention to book trends, to ensuring you're providing diverse options for all readers. The last thing you might want to do is add any extra work, but a few finishing touches will go a long way.

Here are a few ways you can create a memorable program while further immersing your adult patrons into their love of books.

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