PLA 2010 National Conference logo

PLA 2010 National Conference logo

Programming Librarian Goes to Portland!

Angela Thullen | February 23, 2010

Programming Librarian is hitting the road and heading to Portland, where we’ll be attending the 2010 Public Library Association (PLA) National Conference. If you’re traveling to the conference, be sure to visit us in the ALA booth (#1035) to pick up some goodies and tell us what you think of the site.

To help you as you put together your conference plans, here’s a list of 10 PLA programs we think should be of interest to programming librarians:

You Can Get What You Want: Innovative Funding through Public/Private Partnership
Thursday, March 25, 8:30–9:45 a.m.
The New Jersey State Library was able to offer online homework help to over a million families without sacrificing other services through a creative partnership with a local utility company, PSE&G. This program will highlight Homework Help NJ’s success and demonstrate how to identify public/private partnership opportunities in your community.

Building and Sustaining Your Library’s Local History Collection for the Future
Thursday, March 25, 10:30–11:45 a.m.
A library’s local history collection is a powerful promotional tool and invaluable community asset. Learn about key resources, collection development strategies, and practical solutions to common challenges. By fostering relationships with area organizations, your library can better serve those patrons that are often the library’s most ardent and dedicated supporters.

Beyond Fact: Libraries and Museums Making Science Accessible
Thursday, March 25, 10:30–11:45 a.m.
Science and technology affect nearly every aspect of our lives, yet many of us don’t know enough to engage in discourse and decision-making. Find out how Beyond Fact: Making Science Accessible, a museum and library partnership, successfully informed, engaged and enlightened participants on current, and potentially controversial, science topics.

Cool Teen Programs for Under $100
Thursday, March 25, 2–3:15 p.m.
Got Teens? Get immediately implementable program ideas for zero-minimal budgets, successful events that will bring teens to your library and keep them coming back. Librarian tested and parent approved, ready to go templates for cool teen programs under $100.

Author Events Made Easy
Thursday, March 25, 4–5:15 p.m.
If you’ve always yearned to have your favorite author—or any author—speak at your library but didn’t know how to go about it, this is the program for you. Learn how to find an author and how to plan the event itself.

Jump Start Your Fundraising!
Friday, March 26, 8:30–9:45 a.m.
Are your fundraising efforts stalled or are you just starting a development program? A comprehensive plan, strong leadership and coordinated advocacy and fundraising efforts are the keys to success. Building your capacity to raise significant funds can be done efficiently and effectively. Jump Start your fundraising now!

Thrilling Tales and Selected Shorts: An Adult Story Time at Your Library
Friday, March 26, 8:30–9:45 a.m.
Why should the kids have all the fun? Adult storytimes can focus on a variety of styles and formats, from classics to literary fiction to thrilling tales, from story discussion groups to parent/child programs to podcasts, and they make great outreach, and fit any size library or budget.

Signature Fundraisers for Small Public Libraries
Saturday, March 27, 8:30–9:45 a.m.
Every library can develop an annual fundraiser to be remembered. This program will outline how small Illinois libraries collaborate with key community stakeholders and businesses to hold lively after-hours fundraising events that build library visibility and result in an expanded support base.

Multicultural Programming: Sharing Similarities and Celebrating Differences
Saturday, March 27, 8:30–9:45 a.m.
How many cultures are represented each week at your story programs? Do the books shared during your programs reflect these cultures accurately? This program is designed to offer participants tools to evaluate books for cultural authenticity and explain the benefits of multicultural book inclusion in programs and collections.

Perfect Harmony: Orchestrating Cultural Partnerships
Saturday, March 27, 10:15–11:30 a.m.
This program appeals to adult and children’s programmers. The presenter will discuss the community partners utilized by the Lexington Public Library for their musical programs, especially the partnership with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. This partnership has helped to develop and support programs in both children’s and adult outreach efforts.

See the complete programming schedule. And if you can’t make it to Portland, be sure to check out some of these programming-related sessions at the PLA Virtual Conference.

What programs and events at PLA 2010 are you looking forward to?


Angela Thullen is Program Officer/Communications for the ALA Public Programs Office.



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