Programming Librarian

May 2009

Library Programming Policy Statements
Angela Hanshaw | May 28, 2009
An interesting thread started in the Public Programs Office’s Public Programs Forum electronic discussion list this week with a request for examples of public library adult programming policy statements.

Arts Programming in a Public Library, Part II
Jude Schanzer | May 26, 2009
In my second interview with John Franzen, he sat me down and said, “You’re hired. Want the job?” I, ever articulate, said, “Ummm. Yeah?” I had a feeling there was more to come. He gave me a number of mandates. One of the items on his list (which was quite long) was to improve the programming.

Federal Writers’ Project Programming Resource
Susan Brandehoff | May 22, 2009
The ALA Public Programs Office is currently coordinating a project with thirty libraries around the United States called “Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story,” with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. “Soul of a People” addresses the fascinating history of a small part of Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA)—the Federal Writers’ Project.

Arts Programming in a Public Library, Part I
Jude Schanzer | May 19, 2009
I will start this piece with a confession: I am not a librarian. Ah ah ah … please don’t put down the magazine or shut off your computer just yet. I was hired to be the programmer for the East Meadow Public Library (EMPL) because I am not a librarian. My background is in the professional performing arts and academia.

2009 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award for Exemplary Humanities Programming
Colleen Barbus | May 15, 2009
The Carroll Academy of International Studies, located in Houston, Texas, is the 2009 winner of the Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award for Exemplary Humanities Programming. The Carroll Academy library will receive a plaque recognizing the achievement, a cash award of $4,000, and the chance to promote their program to other school libraries nationwide.

Picturing America School Collaboration Conferences
Angela Hanshaw | May 12, 2009
Is your school participating in Picturing America? Looking for fresh ways to use the images in your school? Then check out these three new national conferences for teachers and librarians, to be held in Boston, Chicago, and Newark and sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

ALA Annual Conference Spotlight on Poetry
Mary Davis Fournier | May 07, 2009
As I look back on National Poetry Month each year, I resolve to retain some of the unexpected, joy-filled, and reflective moments I’ve encountered by stumbling upon so many poems in public, print, and cyber spaces throughout the month of April. It has been particularly useful for me as the Public Programs Office prepares for the upcoming ALA Annual Conference and our planned spotlight on poetry.

Digital History
Angela Hanshaw | May 05, 2009
Looking for American history resources, or want to round out your Picturing America or We the People Bookshelf on Picturing America programs? Digital History provides free, high-quality historical resources for teachers and students. Documents include texts about Asian American, Mexican American, African American and Native American history; historical music, trailers of historically significant films, and many more resources.

Gaming @ your library
Angela Hanshaw | May 01, 2009
Have you tried gaming @ your library? If you haven’t, but are looking to expand your patron base, then offering programming based on gaming is an excellent way to do so. And it’s not just console games for teenagers, either; patrons of all ages can enjoy board and card games.