Planning
A Journey through a Goldmine: PBS.org Resources for Programming Librarians
Unless you’ve been living in a mine shaft, you know PBS creates excellent early literacy television shows. Between the Lions and Word World make reading fun for emergent and beginning readers. Read more...
Advocacy
Provides information to help library administrators and the public understand the impact of programming initiatives. Some of the ideas and statistics can be used to help libraries make the case for increased programming support and funding in their libraries and communities. Read more...
Audience Building and Diversity
The first step in diversifying the audiences for your library’s cultural programs is deciding who (or is it whom?) you want to come. A “general” strategy is almost sure to fail—e.g., deciding to try to attract more young people, more Latinos, and more men with the same program is going to be tough. Read more...
Community Collaborations
Gone are the days when the library stood in splendid isolation. Libraries partner with all kinds of organizations to deliver programs and produce audiences ... more libraries than ever are reporting that successful collaborations are central to their planning and no longer an afterthought. Read more...
Copyright Tips for Programming Librarians: Public Performance Rights
Many librarians like to include film or DVD screenings in their library programs. Can you do this without first obtaining permission from the copyright holder? It depends. Read more...
Copyright Tips for Programming Librarians: Using Images in Programming Materials
Everyone can be a novice graphic artist using computer technologies to capture appealing designs, images, and photos found on the Internet for use in presentations, Web sites, and promotional materials. Some may pause and wonder, “Is this a copyright problem?” The answer, of course, is “it depends.” Read more...
Evaluation of Cultural Programs
There’s a lot of buzz about evaluation these days. Are programs effective? Do they make the library, and by extension, the community, a better place? Do they accomplish what we intend and/or do they sometimes have other, maybe even better, unintended consequences? Read more...
Events & Celebrations
Includes celebrations libraries can plan programming around as well as events librarians may be interested in attending, all listed by month. Read more...
Fundraising
Offers a list of online resources that can be used for starting a library foundation. Read more...
Grant Funding Sources
Following is a selected list of organizations and institutions that have funded library programs for adults or worked as partners with libraries for programs—have you approached similar groups in your community for funding or in-kind support? Read more...
Library Students and Programming Librarian
As I round out my final semester in library school at Long Island University, the impending need to fill-up my library skills tool-box and fill-out job applications is in the forefront of my thoughts. Read more...
Making the Case for Library Programming
Even though library programming is widespread, programmers still find themselves faced with having to persuade the library administration, board members, colleagues, and even patrons and the public of its value. As different agencies and library departments compete for limited funding, it’s important to be able to articulate why cultural programming is worth the investment. Read more...
Marketing and PR
Publicizing your program is just as important as planning the content. Ideally, you’ll want to make this part of your library’s overall marketing communications plan to maximize results. In the crowded media marketplace these days, both high-tech and high-touch are needed for success. Read more...
Professional Development
Several professional conferences and events—from the world’s largest library conference to local seminars—provide opportunities for librarians to learn more about cultural programming through workshops, seminars, model programs, and more. Read more...