Programming Resources

This section is devoted to programming resources for all ages. Contact Jenny Shonk (Adult Services) or Heidi Eckerson (Youth Services) with consultation requests, training requests, physical collection requests, or suggestions/changes to this section.

General Resources

FLLS Physical Collections

FLLS has a variety of physical collections housed at the system that are available only to staff from member libraries including Storytime Boxes, StoryWalk® Kits, Die Cuts, Games, Puppets, Program Boxes, & Realia. These are not to be checked out to patrons. Adult Book Group Kits can be checked out to library staff and/or patrons. All of these items can be found and requested in the Polaris Client or Leap. Use the call numbers or barcodes listed in the PDFs below to do an item search to locate the item you are looking for. Lists last updated September 2023.

Storytime Box Collection (PDF) | General call number: Storytime Box.

StoryWalk® Collection (PDF) | General call number: StoryWalk Kit. See resources below.

Puppet Collection (PDF) | General call number: Puppet.

Die Cut Collections (PDF) | General call number: Die Cut. Includes die cut machines.

Program Box & Realia Collections (PDF) | General call numbers: Program Box OR Realia.

Game Collection (PDF) | General call numbers: Board Game OR Giant Board Game.

Adult Book Group Kit Collection (PDF) | General call number: Book Group Kit. These kits can be checked out to patrons! View more about each title: Adult Book Group Kits. View book club resources below.

Data Collection

Always collect as much data as possible when conducting a library program. Use this Member Library Programs Blank Template to track the types of programs you offer, age group, format, and keep notes on how they were received by your library patrons.

Taking Photos

Taking pictures and using them for publicity? Make sure to have a current photo release form on file! Download this template to get you started: Photo Release Template

Note: You do not have to have a photo release form on file for every event. However, it is important to outline your library’s position on taking and posting photos. This can easily be included in your Social Media or Programming Policy and approved by your library board. Once approved, some form of the following should be announced at every program:

“SMILE! Your attendance at programs sponsored by the PUBLIC Library may be digitally recorded through photographs or video recordings. These images may be posted on our website, in our newsletter, by local newspapers or ultimately on the World Wide Web. If you do not wish your image to be published, please notify a member of the Library staff before or immediately after the program. No individual identification will be used unless the library has a signed parental consent photo release form for those under age 16.”

For more information on taking and posting photos:

Programming Ideas

All Ages

FLLS Pandemic Programming Presentations (2020): Part 1 and Part 2
Public Library Association (PLA) Programming Resources
Demco Ideas & Inspiration Blog
Programming Librarian
Programming Librarian Interest Group (Facebook)

Adults & Seniors

Children & Teens

Club Resources

Book Discussion Groups

Calendars and Special Events

Chase’s Calendar of Events: Special days and months, updated every year.
Demco Activity Calendars: Calendars for Children and Early Literacy. Adult calendars are no longer being created after December 2019, but they are archived!
This Day in History
ALA Celebration Weeks & Promotional Events

StoryWalks®

A StoryWalk® is a book that has been dismembered, laminated and presented page by page on a trail, bike path, or in store windows to promote reading and exercise. StoryWalks® were created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.