Programming Librarian

July 2010

Has Your Library Stepped Up to the Plate?
Megan McFarlane | July 29, 2010
The Campaign for America’s Libraries is looking for stories showing how libraries are promoting the fifth season of Step Up to the Plate @ your library. From now until August 17, libraries are encouraged to submit stories, photos and videos of Step Up to the Plate @ your library activities.

Too Much of a Good Thing
Angela Hanshaw | July 27, 2010
The good news? Your library programs are so successful that people have to line up for them. The bad news? Your library programs are so successful that people have to line up for them. Offering programs that are extremely well-attended by patrons seems like the ideal, but a recent article on New Canaan Public Library’s overcrowding issue showed me that there’s a downside to success as well.

Only Fifty-Nine Days Until Talk Like a Pirate Day
Angela Hanshaw | July 22, 2010
As Dave Barry once wrote, “Every now and then, some visionary individuals come along with a concept that is so original and so revolutionary that your immediate reaction is: ‘Those individuals should be on medication.’” Now, I have no knowledge regarding the mental or physical status of International Talk Like a Pirate Day’s founders, but I do know pirates* are a great way to inject some fun into your library programming.

Science in the Summer
Angela Hanshaw | July 20, 2010
I admit that, during my high school years, I only reinforced the stereotype that girls were no good at math and science. (In fact, saying I was “no good” is probably being too kind; my chemistry teacher would likely suggest “utterly hopeless at” as more accurate.) I can’t help but wonder what might have been, however, if I had had a Science in the Summer program at my library as a child.

New for July at EDSITEment
Shelley NiTuama | July 15, 2010
This month’s highlights: Don’t let the summer fly by without picking up a book from NEH’s Summertime Favorites—literary classics listed in appropriate grade categories; recharge yourself with To Kill a Mockingbird, published 50 years ago this summer; join others around the country in hosting a party to celebrate our “national novel”; and introduce timely lessons on senate confirmation hearings.

Featured Library: Henderson County Public Library
Katie Davis | July 13, 2010
The traveling exhibit “Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to Emancipation,” reexamines President Lincoln’s efforts toward the abolition of slavery during the Civil War, and will be available for viewing at the Henderson County (NC) Public Library beginning July 8. Celebrate the month of our nation’s independence with a visit to this compelling exhibit.

Q&A with Pat Chester, Traveling Exhibition Designer
Jennifer Dominiak | July 08, 2010
Graphic designer Patricia Chester creates stunning ALA traveling exhibitions. Read on and delve into Pat’s creative process—learn how she works with curators to create a “look” for each exhibit, discover why she loves her iBook, and understand how an ALA traveling exhibit takes shape before it arrives on your library doorstep.

What’s New in Programming Librarian
Angela Hanshaw | July 06, 2010
I’d like to thank everyone who attended the Programming Librarian demonstrations at the Public Programs Office booth and the “Are You a Programming Librarian?” program during the 2010 ALA Annual Conference. I really enjoyed introducing the site to programming librarians who weren’t familiar with it yet (but were happy to find out about it!) as well as receiving feedback from those who were. I was also happy to introduce some new features available on the site; here’s a quick recap in case you were unable to attend...

Are you a Programming Librarian?
Tracy Paradis | July 02, 2010
“Are you a Programming Librarian?” served as an introduction to Programming Librarian, and it’s a resource I’m happy to see as the events and programming coordinator for my library. The session also offered a panel of presenters who shared their knowledge of the programming process and experiences with struggles so common for do-it-all librarians and staff.

PRIME TIME Family Reading Time
Rini Hughes | July 02, 2010
Wow! Functional literacy for the whole family in six weeks? Sounds too good to be true, but the success stories shared during the session puts the lie to that notion. Four testimonials coupled with staggering statistics make PRIME TIME Family Reading Time a program any librarian with a passion for patron literacy salivate for.