Public Library Programs and Services for Midlife and Beyond

Bennett-Kapusniak, Renee K. Public Library Programs and Services for Midlife and Beyond. Libraries Unlimited, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-4408-5778-2

Description
This book teaches librarians how to develop and expand adult public library programming and services, turning their library into a welcoming environment for the aging community.

Table of Contents 
1. Introducing 50+ Adults and Their Library Services
2. Not Just Your Average Retiree
3. Landscaping and Curb Appeal: The Physical Library
4. Ready or Not, Here They Come: What about Programming?
5. Computers, Facebook, and the Internet: Technology and Social Media
6. Fostering Lifelong Learning at Any Age
7. Community Collaborations
8. Don't Just Sit There: Reach Out!
9. Not Just Books Anymore: Marketing Strategies for Your Library
10. Where Has All the Money Gone? Funding Strategies
11. Going Down a Two-Way Street: Engagement Strategies
12. Future Outlook
Appendix A: Randomly Selected U.S. Public Libraries
Appendix B: Resource Links
Appendix C: Patrons LInks for Library's 50+ Web Site Page
Appendix D: Contributing Public Libraries

Designing Adult Services: Strategies for Better Serving Your Community

Roberts, Ann. Designing Adult Services: Strategies for Better Serving Your Community. Libraries Unlimited, 2018. ISBN: 9781440852541.

Publisher's Description

Focusing on adult patrons ages 19 through senior citizens, this book explains how libraries can best serve this busy portion of their community's population at different life stages and foster experiences that are "worth the trip"—whether actual or virtual.

Adult library patrons are busier than ever before—working, taking classes and studying for advanced degrees, caring for children, helping their aging parents, taking care of their homes or rental properties, planning and nurturing careers, managing investments and retirement funds, and inevitably retiring. Each of these endeavors can require highly specific learning and education. Throughout their lives, adults continue to have different information needs that the library and its services can fill. Designing Adult Services: Strategies for Better Serving Your Community discusses the many ways libraries can serve adults of various ages and at different life stages, covering online services, collection development, programming, and lifelong learning.

This guide's unique approach simplifies the processes of designing and carrying out a successful adult services program for adult library users in all the various stages of life. The book is organized by age groups, with the respective information needs and life challenges. Each chapter suggests programs, services, and collection development strategies for the life stages. Public library administrators and managers as well as adult services librarians in public libraries will find this guide a must-read.

Features

• Helps librarians make their libraries the go-to places in the community for both information and recreation
• Enables librarians to accurately analyze the demographics of their communities and identify the services needed
• Offers simple suggestions to help librarians with limited resources provide age-appropriate services
• Describes information and resources most likely needed during each life stage, making it easier to target the audience for both programming and publicity

50+ Fandom Programs

Alessio, A. J., LaMantia, K., & Vinci, E. (2017). 50+ Fandom Programs: Planning Festivals and Events for Tweens, Teens, and Adults. Chicago, IL : ALA Editions.

 This book of ready-to-go programs and events will help public libraries give fans who are passionate about genres, characters, games, and book series plenty of reasons to return to the library again and again. Fandom programming can require planning across departments, tie-ins to collections and community partnerships, and targeted marketing. But the fun content cooked up by the three best-selling authors in this guide makes it easy to stay organized every step of way, with events broken down into components that streamline planning and facilitates coordination. Adaptable for a wide range of ages, this resource

• covers all the basics of how to host a fandom event, including prep time, length of program, number of patrons, budget, and supplies needed;
• suggests an age range (tweens, teens, millennials, older adults) for each program while also offering ways to tailor it to different groups;
• presents such imaginative and engaging programming ideas as 50 Shades of Hot Books, Old School Video Games, Women in Comics, Creating Steampunk Outfits, Superhero School, and many more;
• provides ideas for perennial fan favorites like Harry Potter, horror stories, and sports; and
• gives tips on how to stay current with what’s popular and ways to incorporate popular activities like cosplay, trivia, and movie-oke.

Filled with projects and ideas that can be used with a variety of fandoms and interests, this programming book will ensure both quick planning and great turnout.

(book description)

The Makerspace Librarian's Sourcebook

Kroski, E. (2017). The Makerspace Librarian's Sourcebook. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.978-0-8389-1504-2.

Note from Katie: This books is a good resource for anyone who does technology programming (STEAM), even if they do not have a dedicated makerspace. It provides background information on Legos, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and more so is relevant for all ages and types of libraries.

Publisher's description:

Library makerspaces continue to thrive, drawing new patrons in and engaging them as never before. This hands-on sourcebook edited by technology expert Kroski includes everything libraries need to know about the major topics, tools, and technologies relevant to makerspaces today. Packed with cutting edge instruction and advice from the field's most tech-savvy innovators, this collection

• leads librarians through how to start their own makerspace from the ground up, covering strategic planning, funding sources, starter equipment lists, space design, and safety guidelines;
• discusses the transformative teaching and learning opportunities that makerspaces offer, with tips on how to empower and encourage a diverse maker culture within the library;
• delves into 11 of the most essential technologies and tools most commonly found in makerspaces, ranging from 3D printers, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and wearable electronics to CNC, Legos, drones, and circuitry kits; and
• includes an assortment of project ideas that are ready to implement.

As useful for those just entering the “what if” stage as it is for those with makerspaces already up and running, this book will help libraries engage the community in their makerspaces.

Book Programs & Author Events

Hooper, Brad. (2016). The Librarian's Guide to Book Programs and Author Events. Chicago, IL: ALA editions. 978-0-8389-1384-0.

From hosting authors to planning and coordinating book activities such as book signings and book clubs, libraries are perfect venues for readers to interact directly with authors and their books. And mounting literary programming can be easier than you might think. In this guide Booklist’s Brad Hooper inspires, encourages, and advises librarians in providing a wide range of programming that targets their communities of book lovers. Incorporating interviews from librarians in the field who share insider tips, this resource

• includes step-by-step guidance adaptable to any type of audience, from children and teens to millennials and older adults;
• shows how to plan author readings, coordinate book signings, and put together and moderate an author panel;
• offers marketing and outreach pointers, including interviewing authors for local radio, library podcasts, or webinars;
• lays out the nuts-and-bolts of organizing and hosting book clubs, with suggestions for facilitating book group discussions;
• presents ideas for creating displays of “staff favorites” and other ways to get staff involved and engaged; and
• explores programs for community-wide book events, such as “One Book, One City.”

(Book Description)

Adults Just Wanna Have Fun

Barbakoff, A. (2016). Adults Just Wanna Have Fun: Programs for Emerging Adults. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions.

There are a wealth of resources out there geared towards serving the needs of toddlers, school age children, young adults, and senior citizens. But something's missing. Library users in their 20s and 30s constitute one of the most underserved populations for public libraries, and there's a scarcity of guidance on how to target them. Barbakoff’s fun and practical programming book helps to fill that gap. A 2013 Library Journal Mover & Shaker who was also named one of Flavorwire’s “10 of the Coolest Librarians Alive,” she shows how to draw emerging adults to the library using a mixture of play and engagement and then keep them coming back for more. Packed with ideas that are real-world tested and approved, this guide  

• examines the unique needs and expectations of millennials, many of whom are already avid readers and have the potential to become a core part of the public library user base;
• presents easily adaptable programs that are fun for a variety of groups, from “Bad Art Night” and “DIY Hot Cocoa Mix” to “Library Speed Dating” and “Homemade Spa Products”;
• features a range of events that move the library outside and into the community, such as hosting a book club in a bar, combining books and bikes, partnering with a commercial kitchen for a cookbook group, and a book-to-action program that uses book discussions as springboards to hands-on service projects;
• offers advice for garnering funding and support by showing how to connect programming to the library’s fundamental values; and
• provides tips for prep, setup, and teardown, plus pointers on marketing and outreach.

By taking the initiative to offer programming that appeals to emerging adults, public libraries help to make them life-long library users. It’s an investment that will reap benefits for years to come, and this book shows how to make it happen.

Check out this title's Web Extra!

(book description)

A Year of Programs for Millennials

Alessio, A.J.; Lamantia, K.; & Vinci, E. (2015). A Year of Programs for Millennials and More. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-1332-1.

Needless to say, programming for teens can be a dubious fit for library users in their 20s; and what appeals to Baby Boomers isn't necessarily ideal for those in their 30s and 40s. Millennials deserve their own programs. This handy guide specifically targets those on the cusp of the born-digital generation and their peers, offering up a year’s worth of programming suitable for both public and academic libraries. Organized by monthly clubs or monthly themed events, a format that makes planning and execution a snap, this resource

• Provides an overview of what those in their 20s, 30, and 40s want from libraries and how best to reach them
• Gives tips for extending popular teen programs to older teens and those in their 20s
• Presents start-to-finish programs sure to be a big draw, such as a “pub trivia” night, recipe scrapbooking meetup, retro craft club, old school gaming sessions, writer’s workshops, and community college networking events
• Shows how to program on a tight budget by making the most of the library’s existing collection and resources
• Offers tips on marketing, outreach, and followup

The fun and popular programs contained in this guide will help libraries become social and cultural cornerstones for the millennials in their communities.

(book description)

Running a Small Library, 2nd ed.

Moorman, John A., ed. Running a Small Library, 2nd ed. New York: Neal- Schuman, 2015.

025.1Runni, 2015 ed.  .025.1Runni 2015 ed. ISBN9780838912737

Since running a small library public, academic, school, or special often means making do with little or no staff, this challenging task calls for its own set of skills and expertise. That’s where Moorman’s how-to manual comes in, offering guidance on every essential aspect of what it takes to run a small library. Fully revised and updated, including a new chapter on digital library services, the second edition covers such day-to-day issues as:

• Budgeting, from planning to advocacy
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures
• Maintaining facilities
• Acquisition, cataloging, and collection development and management on a shoestring
• Circulation
• Programming, outreach, and community partnerships
• Library technology, from computers and networks to automation systems and beyond

Also featured is an updated resource section listing furniture, automation, book, and periodical vendors; 

electronic discussion and support groups; professional organizations; and resources for more information. This book is a must-have for any solo librarian or library manager with a small staff.

 Be sure to check out our Library and Information Science (LIS) blog (http://osl-lis.blogspot.com/) 

to discover the most recent additions to our LIS collection and search our catalog (http://oregon.gov/OSL/index.shtml) for our complete holdings. The library science collection is meant to support the whole Oregon library community. The Library Development Division welcomes your suggestions for acquisitions - see the blog for an input form or email us!

 

Librarian's Guide to Passive Programming

Wichman, Emily T. (2012). Librarian's Guide to Passive Programming: Easy and Affordable Activities for All Ages. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-59884-895-3.

Librarian's Guide to Passive Programming: Easy and Affordable Activities for All Ages presents plans for 32 passive programs designed to capture the attention of library patrons. Each chapter—which contains programs grouped thematically—details the steps necessary to reproduce the programs, and includes supporting handouts, activities, and photographs. This helpful guide also examines what passive programming is, why passive programming is relevant, and offers strategies across all aspects of its implementation—from developing program ideas to evaluating program success.

Features:

• Step-by-step instructions for more than 30 individual programs
• Lists of supplies and resources needed for program implementation
• Alternative approaches for how to adapt the program for in-house or online use
• Strategies for developing, marketing, and evaluating passive programs

Highlights:

• Includes activities for promoting patrons' interest in—and use of—the library
• Details the steps necessary to reproduce the programs
• Provides tips for developing program ideas
• Reveals ways to stretch programming dollars and staff resources

(book description)

Successfully Serving teh College Bound (book)

Africa S. Hands. (2015) Successfully Serving the College Bound. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-1272-0.

Whether they’re students taking the traditional path of entering college from high school, or adult first-time or re-entry students, navigating the admissions and financial aid process can be overwhelming for the college bound. Public libraries can help provide information and guidance for a successful start, and this book shows how to do it. Incorporating insight gleaned from interviews with librarians serving college-bound patrons, this book includes

• Checklists to help public libraries take stock of current services, programs, and resources for serving the college bound, with pointers on how to make improvements
• Tips for using, marketing, and expanding the collection effectively
• Ready-to-adapt program ideas
• Advice on shoring up support among stakeholders, overcoming objections, and taking advantage of outreach opportunities
• Worksheets to help library administrators evaluate staff skills and interests
• Reviews of online college-planning tools
• A directory of college-related organizations, publishers, resources, and education authority agencies

With the assistance of this book, public libraries can provide truly outstanding service to this important population.

(book description)

Make It Here (book)

Mathew Hamilton and Dara Hanke Schmidt. (2015). Make It Here: Inciting Creativity and Innovation in Your Library. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-61069-554-1.

*This book appears to be about makerspaces for upper elementary children, 'tweens, teens, and adults.

Libraries of all sizes and resource levels are finding ways to support community innovation and creativity through maker programming—and successful programs don't require dedicating an entire area of the library to makerspace activities or sophisticated technologies such as 3D printers. Make It Here: Inciting Creativity and Innovation in Your Library provides a complete, step-by-step guide for starting a makerspace program at your library and follows through with instructions for operation and building on your success.

This book takes you step-by-step through starting your maker program—from finding the right "makerspace mix," making a plan, and working with staff to establishing funding and support, launching your makerspace, and evaluating and refining your programs. The authors provide guidance based on their personal experiences in creating and developing maker programs in their libraries as well as feedback and lessons learned from library makers across the country. You'll see how easy it can be to bring their ideas to life in ways that will empower your community, and be encouraged to be bold and think outside of the box when imagining the possibilities.

(book description)

Bridges out of poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities

Payne, Ruby K PhD., Philip E. DeVol, Terie Dreussi Smith. Bridges out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities. Rev. Ed. Highlands, TX: Aha! Process, 2006.  362.5 Payne    ISBN-13: 978-1929229697

Bridges Out of Poverty is a unique and powerful tool designed specifically for social, health, and legal services professionals. Based in part on Dr. Ruby K. Payne's myth shattering A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Bridges reaches out to the millions of service providers and businesses whose daily work connects them with the lives of people in poverty. In a highly readable format you'll find case studies, detailed analysis, helpful charts and exercises, and specific solutions you and your organization can implement right now to: Redesign programs to better serve people you work with; Build skill sets for management to help guide employees; Upgrade training for front-line staff like receptionists, case workers, and managers; Improve treatment outcomes in health care and behavioral health care; Increase the liklihood of moving from welfare to work. If your business, agency, or organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges-and strengths-will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success.

Streamlined Library Programming (book)

Porter-Reynolds, Daisy. (2014.) Streamlined Library Programming: How to Improve Services and Cut Costs. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-61089-408-7.

Is it possible to both cut costs and improve public library programming for all ages? Yes, it is; this book demonstrates how.

In their roles as community centers, public libraries offer many innovative and appealing programs; but under current budget cuts, library resources are stretched thin. With slashed budgets and limited staff hours, what can libraries do to best serve their publics?
This how-to guide provides strategies for streamlining library programming in public libraries while simultaneously maintaining—or even improving—quality delivery. The wide variety of principles and techniques described can be applied on a selective basis to libraries of all sizes. Based upon the author's own extensive experience as well as that of colleagues in other library systems, this book provides readers with a practical, step-by-step approach to maximizing resources and minimizing costs of programming without sacrificing quality, as well as insider tips and examples from the field that will help them to avoid known pitfalls.

Features
• Discusses centralized programming, explaining what it is, how it works, and how librarians can select and apply techniques to their libraries
• Provides effective solutions to streamlining library services and improving efficiencies in a time of budget reductions
• Offers useful sample documents and forms, such as program description templates, surveys, and storytime box logistics

Sample Topics
Centralized Programs
Change Management
Paid Programs
Partner Programs
Pitfalls to Avoid
Programs in a Box
Staffing
Storytime

(book description)

Bringing the Arts into the Library

Smallwood, Carol, ed. Bringing the Arts into the Library. Chicago: ALA, 2014. 021.26 Bring 

ISBN 978-0-8389-1175-4

Using a library's facilities to bring arts to the community is not only a valuable service, but also a wonderful marketing and outreach opportunity, a tangible way to show the public that libraries offer value, thus shoring up grassroots support. Smallwood has combed the country finding examples of programs implemented by a variety of different types of libraries to enrich, educate, and entertain patrons through the arts. Her book shares such successful efforts as:

• Poetry programs in the public library
•  Gatherings for local authors at the community college
• Creative writing in middle schools
•  Multicultural arts presentations at the university library
•  Initiatives to fight illiteracy through the arts

The amazing creativity and resourcefulness found in each example provide practical models which can be adapted to any library environment, inspiring librarians looking for unique programming ideas.

iPads in the Library

Nichols, Joel A. iPads® in the Library: Using Tablet Technology to Enhance Programs for All Ages. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-61069-347-9

Publisher's Description

This book provides detailed plans and instructions with specific literacy goals for child, teen, and adult audiences—exactly what librarians seeking to integrate iPad and other tablet use into their programs need.

Tablet computers are fast becoming a ubiquitous technology. These devices also represent a unique opportunity for librarians and teachers because they are relatively affordable, easy to configure and maintain, and highly adaptable. Written by a practicing digital literacy instruction librarian who is also a trained children's librarian, this book offers 50 practical programming scenarios that librarians can use to integrate iPads or other tablet devices into their programming, offering different plans for toddlers and pre-K child, school-aged patrons, teenagers, adults, and even seniors.

The plans provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and are designed to be easily adaptable to serve specific audiences. The book serves as a unique resource that helps librarians address digital literacy and bridge the digital divide by focusing on—and catering to—the needs of many age groups. Author Joel A. Nichols also provides annotated lists of apps that present librarians new to tablet computing simple and effective ways of integrating an iPad into their programs.

Features
• Supplies technology programs for young children targeting early literacy skills, and for grade school and middle school-aged children, with a special focus on STEM skills
• Includes programs for adult groups including non-English speakers, job-seekers, and genealogy enthusiasts
• Covers 100 essential apps for library programming in an annotated list
• Provides an annotated list of app review resources for selection
• Blends digital content and delivery with traditional, analogue library services in the versatile supplied plans

Sample Topics
Children's Technology
Digital Literacy
Digital Storytelling
Early Literacy and Pre-Literacy
Hanging Out Messing Around Geeking Out (HoMaGo) Programs
iPods and iOS
Outreach Programs
Tablet Computing
Technology Programs for Seniors
Teen Media Creation

Adult Programs in the Library, 2nd ed

Lear, Brett, W.  Adult Programs in the Library, 2^nd ed.  Chicago: ALA, 2013.  027.62 Lear 2013 ed.

ISBN 978-0838911402

Programming is an important means of not only drawing new people to the library but also better serving existing patrons. Lear s invaluable guide to adult programs is back---and better than ever, with refreshed, expanded content and new ideas to reinvigorate programs and give them a 21st-century spin. This edition includes

·        Updated chapters on basics such as funding, crafting guidelines, topic selection, publicity, post-program evaluations, and more

·        A new section on technology, with ideas for online book discussions, offering programs via Skype, and turning programs into podcasts:

• Methods for tailoring programs for specific groups, such as men, baby boomers, and seniors
• A collection of "five-star" programs from libraries around the country that can be easily adapted

Walking the reader through every aspect of adult programming, this new edition of a tried-and-true book is truly a librarian s best friend.