Programming Resources
General | Adults and Seniors | Banned Books | Clubs and Book Discussion Groups | Calendars and Special Events | Crafts | Digital Programs and Gaming | Homeschooling | Maker Spaces, STEM and STEAM | StoryWalk® | Youth Services
This section is devoted to programming resources for all ages. Many of these programs can be adapted for any age group. We have separated each section based on program type and age group. Please see our Promotional Materials page for marketing ideas, images and handouts. Contact Jenny Shonk or Nora Burrows with any suggestions or changes to this section.
General Programming Resources
FLLS Program Boxes
We are constantly updating our collection of program boxes for all ages. Search under call number “Program Box” in the Polaris Client to browse and request these resources.
Data Collection
Always collect as much data as possible when conducting a library program. Use this sample sheet (or create your own) to track the types of programs you offer and keep notes on how they fared at your library. More statistical sample sheets can be found on our Summer Reading Page. Don’t forget to include Passive Programs in your programming statistics!
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:
Adults and Seniors
- 101 Ideas for Serving the Elderly
- Adult Programming Ideas
- Adulting 101
- ALA’s Outreach Resources for Serving Older Adults
- Mid-Life Adult Programming Ideas
- Program Speed Dating
- Public Libraries Online: Adult Programming
- Public Libraries Online: Senior Programming
- Webjunction Resources for Serving Older Adults & Seniors
- Webjunction Webinars: Programming
Banned Books Resources
From the Library Bill of Rights:
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
Celebrate our freedom to read by fighting censorship year round and by promoting Banned Books Week annually at the end of September.
Banned Websites
- ALA’s Official Banned Books Website
- Banned Books Week
- Challenged Graphic Novels
- Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
- Frequently Challenged Books
Books at your library could become challenged at any time. Be familiar with your library’s policy on challenged materials.
Sample Challenged Materials Form
Web Resources:
Clubs and Book Discussion Groups
- I Love Libraries: Starting a Book Club
- Simon & Schuster Book Club Resources
- Book Browse: Book Club Central
- LitLovers: Discussion Guides & More
- ReadingGroupGuides
- FLLS Book Club Resources List
Book Group Kits
Do you have a book discussion group that meets in your library? Do you want to start a group? You’re in luck! We have Book Group Kits available for patrons in the 33 libraries in our system. Each kit contains multiple copies of a title in regular print, and when available, in large print and audio format. It also contains a Book Discussion Guide that includes book summaries and reviews, author bios and possible questions to guide the discussion.
Available Books Kits for:
To request a Book Group Kit, follow these steps:
-
- Go to www.flls.org or your library’s website and access the catalog. Select your library, if needed.
- In the menu, click on Search and then Keyword.
- Enter ‘Book Group Kit’ and click Go! This will bring up those kits that are available; request a kit as you would any other item.
Youth Book Club Resources
FLLS has many Tween Book Club Kits, see a list of titles here. All kits include 10 copies of the book, a discussion guide and activities. Some include addtional mulitimedia. Check one out today!
Online Book Groups
Start your own online book group! Use a blog, Twitter or Facebook to create your own interactive online discussion with your patrons! Check out these samples to get you started:
- Books with 140 Characters
- Goodreads Groups
- NYPL’s Reader’s Den
- Online Book Club
- Penguin’s Book Club on Twitter
- Riley’s Book Club
- Twitter: The Book Club
- Using Facebook for Books Clubs
Anime Clubs
Do you have any tweens or teens drawing manga characters or requesting anime DVDs? Your library could benefit from an Anime Club. Very easy to run, Anime Clubs can include activities such as:
- Screening an anime movie or episodes from an anime cartoon series on YouTube
- Crafts (origami, paper lanterns, koi fish, anime shrinky dinks, etc)
- Drawing sessions
- Candy sushi
- Manga swap (much like a book swap)
- Cosplay (dress as favorite characters and take photos)
- Games
- Picking up items with chopsticks contest.
- Based on the program’s success, inviting speakers:
- Sushi chefs
- Japanese language speaker to teach some words.
- Local manga artist to teach the basics of drawing manga.
- Local martial artists to demonstrate skills.
Resources:
- Anime Clubs: Abby the Librarian dissects Anime Clubs.
- Crunchyroll
- Keeping your Collection Current: School Library Journal Article on Manga Collections.
- Manga Panda
- Manga Town
- MangaBlog: Keep current with your manga.
- Kid Safe Anime: Anime can be a bit risque. Check what is deemed “safe” for all ages.
- Trials and Tribulations
Writing Clubs
- Grammarly
- National Novel Writing Month
- National Poetry Writing Month
- Fairfield Library’s Writer’s Club Website
- Self Publishing
- Writing Tools
Miscellaneous Clubs
Calendars and Special Events
- Chase’s Calendar of Events
- Demco Activity Calendars
- Holiday Insights
- On This Day
- This Day in History
Annual
- April: National Library Week
- May: Free Comic Book Day (First Saturday in May)
- September: Banned Books Week
- November: International Games Week
Date Specific
- March 2: Dr. Seuss’s Birthday/Read Across America Day
- May 4: Star Wars Day: Show Me Librarian Star Wars Blog Post
Crafts
Follow us on Pinterest for more crafty ideas!
- C.R.A.F.T. (Creating Really Awesome Free Things)
- Crafts by Amanda
- Dollar Store Crafts
- Hungry Happening
- 44 Easy Crafts for Adults
Food Crafts
Babies, Toddlers and Pre-K
Teens
Digital Programming and Gaming
Coding For Kids
Minecraft
Tablets
Homeschooling
- Beginning Homeschooling
- Conservative Homeschoolers
- Homeschool Connections
- Homeschooling Laws
- I Can Teach My Child
- LEAH: Loving Education At Home
- Simple Homeschooling Blog
- TCPL Homeschool Guide 2020
Maker Spaces, STEM and STEAM
For all your 3D Printer questions, see our official 3D Printer Page
No 3D Printer? No Problem! Maker Spaces are about creating! Check some of these resources to get started or keep going with or without a 3D Printer.
- 3D Systems
- ALA’s Junior Maker Spaces Toolkit
- Bare Conductive
- Brown Dog Gadgets
- MakerShed
- Makers Toolbox
- Speed Racer Science
- Teknikio
- TED Talk: 3D Printers
- TinyCircuits
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.
Youth Services
For Early Literacy and Storytimes, please visit our Early Literacy Page