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)

Makerspaces: A Practical Guide for Librarians (book)

Burke, John J. (2014). Makerspaces: A Practical Guide for Librarians. Boulder, CO: Rowman &Littlefield. 978-1-4422-2967-9.

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

A “makerspace” is an area in a library where users can use tools and equipment to design, build, and create all sorts of different things. It may be a dedicated room or a multipurpose space in which a collection of raw materials and resources can be utilized as desired. Projects range from prototyping product designs with 3D printers, to programming robots, to creating art out of recycled items.

This practical guide will help librarians

• develop, budget for, and implement makerspaces;
• write grant proposals for funding;
• and understand the mindset behind the maker movement in order to meet patron needs.

Makerspaces: A Practical Guide for Librarians also includes useful case studies, descriptions of equipment and new technologies, and models for planning and assessing projects.

(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)