Articles

Catch up on the latest in library programming news.

Q&A: 3 Expert Librarians Share Their Summer Reading Décor Secrets

We asked three librarians with decades of combined experience planning large-scale summer reading décor to share their advice and go-to materials.

Reader Voter Ready: Support Voter Engagement Through These Program Ideas

Libraries are nonpartisan, but they are not indifferent. Libraries play an important role in ensuring voters are prepared to participate in local, state and national elections. Check out these program ideas to support voter engagement at your library.

Aging Together: What Libraries Are Learning About Serving Older Adults

Whether working in large urban systems or small-town libraries, four library workers emphasize that older adults are not a niche audience. They are a vital part of the library community.

Apply Now: 2026-27 Cohort of the Yiddish Book Center's Public Libraries Program

Apply to join a cohort of public library workers to explore how Yiddish literature can provide a springboard for powerful cultural conversations.

Mar 24, 2026

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.

Mar 24, 2026

What to Focus on When Hosting In-Person Events

What should library staff pay attention to when hosting an in-person event? This video walks you through what to look out for.

Mar 20, 2026

What It Takes to Run a 17,000-Player Library Game

Playable at various community points, Ann Arbor District Library’s Summer Game is played by thousands of people of all ages and has become a community tradition.

Mar 20, 2026

Digital Pathways

This new free guide will help library workers to reduce disparities in healthcare access and foster active engagement in personal health management for adults.

Mar 19, 2026

Facilitating Meetings in Support of Your Cool New Program Idea

If you have a cool new idea for a program, chances are you have to “sell” your boss on the idea before you can move forward. All this work is likely to occur in meetings. Here's how to prepare.

Mar 17, 2026

Libraries as Leaders in Bridging Divides

The new free guide and eCourse will equip library workers with the tools needed to facilitate challenging conversations on divisive issues.

Mar 13, 2026

New Funding, Deeper Change: How First-Time LTC Grantees Are Making Accessibility Happen

Libraries of all types and sizes frequently rely on grant funding to supplement their budgets. Read about the significant strides first-time small and rural library grantees took toward catalyzing positive change within their communities.

Mar 12, 2026

9 Sources for Program Inspiration

With seemingly endless possibilities, how should you decide which programs to pursue? Tina Panik shares nine sources she uses to keep her calendar fresh and to meet the needs of her Connecticut community.

Feb 25, 2026

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.

Feb 17, 2026

8 Tips for Financial Fitness

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.

Feb 12, 2026

9 Tips for Staying Organized

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.

Feb 3, 2026

PLA Conference 2026: Recommended Sessions

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.