Do you spend a lot of time scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, admiring all the amazing programs other librarians are putting on, wondering where they get their endless ideas and enthusiasm? Yeah, me too. Except I am also one of those people often approached to deliver webinars and conference talks and write books about my "endless ideas and enthusiasm." Huh? What's going on here? Am I lying? Faking it?
There are a lot of moving pieces involved in library programs — partners, funding, event logistics, marketing — so organization is key.
My secret to successful event planning is starting with a checklist. I created this one-sheet form that helps me get my programs rolling.
Download the form as a Word document or PDF.
At the William H. Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount University, library programming is supported by two full-time librarians, one full-time support staff person, and a team of student assistants. This is a far cry from where we were only a few years ago, when programming and outreach was led by a single librarian.*
