Programming librarians are always looking for new ideas. I was a programming librarian for 12 years, so I get it! Keeping things exciting for your patrons and for yourself can be a challenge. I’ve rounded up a few helpful resources to get the ideas flowing.
Before I share those, however, remember that the very best programming idea resource is your patrons! The only way to truly know what your patrons want is to ask them. This is especially important with teens and tweens, who gain important skills when invited to share input and to codesign programs, so I recommend reviewing the toolkit Evaluating Library Programming to learn about a variety of tools you can use to gather and evaluate feedback.
Now, on to the resources!
Indiana State Library program idea lists
To support summer reading and programming year-round, I gather program ideas from library staff during my summer reading trainings each year. Collected and posted annually in various formats since 2016, the lists are a treasure trove of program ideas for all ages! You can browse program ideas for the current summer reading program year here. These lists are divided roughly by age group and a quick browse might inspire your next program!
Programming Librarian
ProgrammingLibrarian.org is a website run by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. They host a searchable database of program ideas for all ages collected from library staff across the country. Results can be filtered by a variety of factors.
STAR Net STEM Activity Clearinghouse
The STEM Clearinghouse is a database of quality STEM activities that are perfect for library use. Each activity includes a full plan, and they are searchable by age, cost, time to prep and to complete the activity, difficulty level and more. STAR Net stands for “Science-Technology Activities & Resources for Libraries,” and was developed in partnership with Cornerstones of Science, the Space Science Institute, the National Center for Interactive Learning and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
PBS Kids
PBS Kids maintains their own “Find Ways to Play” database of activities for kids ages 2-8. Designed to be used by parents, each activity is tied to a PBS Kids show or character and provides a thorough plan complete with required materials and step-by-step directions. They also offer printables that you can share with parents, such as “Encouraging Pretend Play” or “How to Prepare Children for Unexpected Events and Emergencies.” The database is searchable by age, show, topic and type.
Jbrary
Jbrary was started by two Canadian children’s librarians and is “a library of storytime resources for those of us working with children.” While not strictly a program idea database, Jbrary offers plenty of helpful resources and tips for storytime programmers, including planning resources for storytimes and school age programs, booklists, songs and rhymes and more. The Jbrary YouTube channel contains recordings of many songs and rhymes that are perfect for storytime.
Youth Services Playbook
The Youth Services Playbook is a blog created by Indiana librarian Adrienne De Luna. Adrienne shares program ideas but also discusses a wide variety of youth services library-related topics in her blog posts, highlighting what other librarians have to say about various hot topics. Though some of her materials are behind a paywall, I do recommend the blog for both program ideas and thoughtful reflection on the profession.
Nourishing Minds Toolkit
Nourishing Minds is a mental wellness program for teens and their libraries with the goals of creating brave spaces for creativity, normalizing mental health conversations and harnessing the power of program co-design in libraries. The site offers resources and tools for prioritizing those three pillars in teen library programming.
Let’s Move in Libraries
Let’s Move in Libraries offers ideas for movement-based programs, from running and walking clubs to music and movement activities.
National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA)
The NILPPA, from the American Library Association, offers tools for to help you establish impactful partnerships and to evaluate your programs and programming staff.
Submitted by Beth Yates, Indiana State Library children’s consultant.