Programming Librarian

June 2011

NEH’s Picturing America: Model Programs for Public Libraries
Daniela Hudson | June 30, 2011
One former New Orleans resident, Edgar Degas, would have been very proud of one of our Sunday morning programs. The National Endowment for the Humanities’ (NEH) Picturing America program brings art into public libraries for the community to learn and become culturally aware of their world.

The Language of Conservation: A Case Study in Library-Zoo Partnerships
Jeana Elizondo | June 28, 2011
Libraries may have a physical location, but the possibilities for programming extend far beyond four walls. Partnering with an external organization allows libraries to solicit model programs that provide interesting and innovative ways to disseminate information and educate their community. One such program is “The Language of Conservation”, which connects libraries, poets, and zoos together for a mix of humanities and sciences.

Science Programming 101: Presenting Excellent Science Programs in Your Library
Jennifer Dominiak | June 27, 2011
Does your library have access to paper plates and colorful crepe paper? If so, you have the necessary tools for children to create a wind vane to observe how our outdoor environment is constantly changing. At Sunday afternoon’s Science Programming 101 session in New Orleans, attendees participated in hands-on activities to investigate aspects of wind, clouds, and rain, and began to see how local weather relates to broader Earth systems.

Maximizing the Impact of Programming
Jeana Elizondo | June 26, 2011
Stories take many forms, far beyond just text or pictures. This means libraries are more than merely a book lender or an internet provider. Libraries are at the forefront when it comes to providing enriching educational and cultural programs that aim to inform, enhance, and instruct their surrounding communities.

Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion in the Public Library
Daniela Hudson | June 26, 2011
In light of the still recent natural disasters and subsequent struggles it has seen, New Orleans is the perfect place to talk about civility and compassion in our communities. Mary Davis Fournier talked to conference-goers about the new program grant, “Building Common Ground” from the ALA Public Programs Office.

ABC’s of Sustainable Partnerships: Affiliations Build Communities
Jeana Elizondo | June 26, 2011
Libraries that seek to instruct a family as a whole can face an overwhelming and challenging task, especially in the case of literacy education. Literacy programs take many forms, but finding a program that caters to kids and parents alike is difficult. The session “ABC’s of Sustainable Partnerships: Affiliations Build Communities” discussed how libraries can develop partnership programs that can serve as a direct way to connect the user with crucial information, critical to literacy success.

Support Community, Civility, and Compassion at Your Library
Angela Thullen | June 23, 2011
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office and the Fetzer Institute announced their collaboration on Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion, a multiformat discussion program for public audiences.

Sneak Preview of Not In Our Town Documentary at ALA Annual
Libby McInerny | June 21, 2011
The one-hour PBS documentary special Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness profiles a town standing together to take action after anti-immigrant violence devastates their community and thrusts them into the international media spotlight. In conjunction with the September 21 broadcast of the film, all libraries are invited to use the film and accompanying resources for free public programs events in September and beyond. ALA Annual Conference attendees can enjoy a sneak preview.

New for June at EDSITEment
Shelley NiTuama | June 16, 2011
Summer is upon us! It’s a good time to catch up on your reading or do some traveling (even if it’s only a virtual roadtrip). This month, EDSITEment offers new and refreshed features and lessons as well as links to useful NEH-funded websites.

Help Develop a New Traveling Exhibition on Health
Angela Hanshaw | June 14, 2011
Health and nutrition are currently very hot topics—see Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign and the United States Department of Agriculture’s new My Plate eating guidelines, just as two examples. The American Library Association’s Public Programs Office is collaborating with the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) on a series of exhibits on those topics that will tour libraries.

Families Step Up to the Plate @ your library
Megan McFarlane | June 09, 2011
Promote quality family time at your library this Father’s Day weekend with Step Up to the Plate @ your library. Step Up to the Plate encourages people of all ages to use the print and electronic resources available at their library to answer a series of trivia questions designed for their age group.

Meet with a Consultant for Free at the ALA Annual Conference
Elizabeth Markel | June 07, 2011
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) and the Public Library Association (PLA) are teaming up to offer “Consultants Give Back” at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference—an opportunity for libraries to receive free, thirty-minute consultation sessions from professional library consultants.

Planting a Seed in Your Community
Angela Hanshaw | June 02, 2011
Some of you may remember my blog post on gardening from last year. Let’s just say my first serious attempt at vegetable growing was a learning experience, and I’m currently hard at work on this year’s garden. In order to refresh my gardening memory (and hopefully improve this year’s crop), I did a little online research and was thrilled to stumble upon Richmond (Calif.) Public Library’s seed-lending library.