The Nine Competencies of Programming Librarians: Findings from NILPPA, ALA's National Study of Library Public Programs

Duration
1 hour

In this free 60-minute webinar—the second in a two-part series—the ALA Public Programs Office and research team members for the National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA) will share findings about the skills and competencies required to be a successful programming librarian and how library workers obtain them.

As U.S. libraries transform to meet the needs of a changing nation, public programming is rising to the forefront of daily operations. While libraries have always had a broad educational mission and an esteemed role as collection holders and lenders, the 21st century is witnessing their rapid transformation into centers for lifelong experiential learning, hubs for civic and cultural gatherings, and partners in community-wide innovation.

NILPPA logoIn light of this shift, the ALA Public Programs Office and a team of researchers conducted the National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA), an intensive two-year research study that asked: what competencies and training are required for professionals working with library programming today?

In this free 60-minute webinar—the second in a two-part series—NILPPA research team members will share the nine core library programming competency areas unearthed by the research and how they can help us prepare the library workers of tomorrow and today, along with some surprising findings about how and where we learn to plan library programs.

NILPPA: Phase I is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number LG-96-17-0048-17.

Presenters

Terrilyn Chun is the deputy director of Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon, where she leads public services, including 19 library locations and divisions serving patrons in child care centers, schools, retirement facilities, shelters and other settings. Previously, she was the senior manager for Programming and Community Outreach and was responsible for development, resource allocation, and evaluation of public programs for adults, youth, and families. She coordinated Everybody Reads, the library’s One City/One Book community reading project from 2003 to 2016. She is a former member and chair of the American Library Association’s Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee.

Mary Davis Fournier is the deputy director of the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office and director of the National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA).