Posted on Contemplations, Programming

Library Programming for All 

Libraries use programming to engage with patrons and communities by providing enriching, educational, or entertaining opportunities. In the webinar, Elevating the Library Experience with Creative Programming, panelists shared several programming ideas they implement in their libraries. Panelists included an academic, a youth, and two public librarians, so no matter what type of library you work in, read on for some inspirational programming ideas! 

Panelist Dacy Shute implements the following three steps when creating a library program. 

  1. Get inspiration based off library’s location, to promote something, fill a community need, reach a specific patron base, etc. 
  2. Come up with a program goal by asking, “What am I trying to achieve?”
  3. Tie the program in with the library’s values 

Dacy’s library is in an area where there are a lot of parks, hiking is popular, women don’t feel safe hiking alone, and the community is interested in wellness. These items inspired Dacy to achieve her goal of providing an opportunity for individuals of various fitness and body types to enjoy the outdoors in a safe manner. By organizing a hiking group, Dacy created an environment where all individuals felt safe to enjoy the outdoors as a group. Dacy partnered with Parks and Rec who led an educational hike and discussed topics such as hiking safety and identifying plants. This program tied in with the library’s values of learning, connection, accessibility, partnerships, and impact.

Lara, a university community engagement librarian creates programming based off hobbies or topics she enjoys. Gaming is one of Lara’s pastimes, so she hosts game night programming. Lara’s goals are to highlight the library’s gaming space and increase a sense of belonging and inclusion in a predominately male hobby. She holds a female and women-identifying non-binary game night where they play games that highlight issues such as grief, mental health, LGBT, and other topics.

Another panelist, Jenny and her colleagues work on making programming more intentional. They aim for quality over quantity, or the less is more theory. Staff use program planning forms and a quarterly schedule of monthly or weekly programs that focus on patron needs or interests. 

Lizzie, the final panelist, is a young adult program coordinator who tries to bring awareness to what already exists in the community by doing a lot of partnering programming. She partners with entities such as the local yoga studio, animal shelter, farms/ranches, Parks and Rec and others. So that children don’t lose interest in the library after they age out of story time, Lizzie hosts weekly teen programming. She gets adults to help with the programming, so individuals stay active in the library past graduating from high school.

Programming Ideas 

  1. Traveling book club meets someplace new each month such as a park or different restaurants. 
  1. Blacksmithing to attract males into the library. 
  1. Take the library and host an event at an unusual location. (Took Cricut machine to local skate shop and cut out vinyl stickers for skateboards.) 
  1. Yoga on the lawn 
  1. Wellness centered programming such crafting resilience, therapy dogs, creative journaling 
  1. Author talks 
  1. Landscaping with native plants and beneficial uses of native plants 
  1. How to start a small business—partnered with a community college 
  1. Honeybees—partnered with a local beekeeper 
  1. Music in the library 
  1. Family programming to encourage intergenerational learning and family bonding 
  1. Read to a dog program—partnered with local animal shelter 
  1. Yoga with cats—partnered with local animal shelter 
  1. Engage campers by hosting library programming in campgrounds 
  1. Kick-off summer party—festival like—to connect patrons with their community. Community members are encouraged to have booths, have a game, or hand out information 
  1. Macrame planters 
  1. Photo preservation 
  1. Take away programs—adult and YA subscription boxes for individuals who can’t make it to the library—box contains a book, craft or activity, and some swag 

I highlighted only a few of the library program ideas presented in the webinar. I encourage you to take time to view the webinar listed as a reference to get more information about the programs I summarized and further programming ideas. 

Other Resources 

Books at the State Library 

  • 32 Virtual, Augmented, & Mixed Reality Programs for Libraries (2021) 
  • Create, Innovate, and Serve: A Radical Approach to Children’s and Youth Programming (2019) 
  • Library Programming for Autistic Children and Teens (2021) 
  • 209 Big Programming Ideas for Small Budgets (2021) 
  • Pivoting During the Pandemic: Ideas for Serving Your Community Anytime, Anyway (2021) 
  • Advancing a Culture of Creativity in Libraries: Programming and Engagement 

Reference 

[Nclive TV]. (2024, April 19). Elevating the library experience with Creative Programming [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/1SlNglKU6LI?si=UevvkJ_XEBhPm-T5

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