Articles

Catch up on the latest in library programming news.

The Secret to Successful Program Promotion? Data.

Picture this: You work hard to plan an awesome program, but nobody shows up. You feel totally defeated, and you aren't sure what you could've done differently. The secret to success? Data.

Engagement and Advocacy Start with Community Mapping

Taking time to understand who you know — and who you don’t know — is a great way to begin your journey toward being a community-informed programming librarian.

New Landscape Report on 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.

At the Program: What to Focus on When Hosting In-Person Events (VIDEO)

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

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.

Jan 23, 2026

A New eCourse to Learn the Grant Process for a New Year

This first-of-its-kind ALA self-paced eCourse provides a comprehensive foundation in collaborative grantseeking, proposal development and submission

Jan 22, 2026

Call for Advisors: A Year of STEM

ALA is seeking six librarian advisors with expertise in serving early learners, curating book lists and offering STEM programming to support a new project.

Jan 8, 2026

Behind the Scenes with MPL's TikTok

Milwaukee Public Library's social media presence is famous beyond the library world. We went behind the scenes with the duo behind their videos.

Jan 5, 2026

Apply Now: ‘Pulitzer on the Road’ Exhibit

Public libraries are invited to apply to receive the new traveling exhibit, Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire. Apply by March 27, 2026.

Dec 16, 2025

Prepare for Financial Literacy Month (April)

April is Financial Literacy Month. Start your preparation now with these program ideas, book suggestions and resources to get kids involved.

Dec 9, 2025

Planning a Cents-ational Financial Literacy Storytime?

Financial educators recommend teaching basic money concepts as early as three years old. One way to achieve this in your library is by incorporating financial literacy themes into your storytimes.

Dec 8, 2025

Time Travel in a Trunk: Engaging Learners with Historical Artifacts

How can librarians and educators bridge the gap between the past and present? The answer lies in Historical Artifact Footlockers — a dynamic, hands-on tool that brings the thrill of historical investigation directly into the library.

Dec 5, 2025

Know Your People

By knowing their people, empowering staff and building strong partnerships, the Gail Borden Public Library turns every exhibit into a shared experience of learning and connection.

Dec 2, 2025

Cents-sational Reads to Teach Young People About Money

This new guide helps libraries build financial education collections and offers an assortment of programming ideas to transform learning about money into memorable experiences.

Dec 1, 2025

Apply Now: LTCEG

The seventh annual community engagement grant will support two library projects under the concept of "Libraries as a Lifeline: Building Belonging for All.”