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, or suggestions and changes to this section.

General 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 Youth Services. Don’t forget to include passive programs in your programming statistics, where applicable.

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*

Adults & Seniors

Children & Teens

For information about FLLS Storytime boxes, FLLS Puppets, and FLLS Die cuts, visit our Storytime Resources page.
FLLS Youth Services Advisory Group, contact heckerson@flls.org for more information.
Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) Blog
Flannel Friday: a community of practitioners who share flannelboard storytime ideas and resources.
Storytime Blogs:
Storytime Underground*
Teen Services Underground*
Tell Me A Story: Rhymes and Songs.
Teen Librarian Toolbox
YALSA Teen Programming HQ

*The links marked with an asterisk are Facebook groups. You will have to join the groups to see their posts.

Club Resources

Book Discussion Groups

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.

See a list of available books kits for adults, with descriptions:

Adult Book Group Kits

To request a Book Group Kit, follow these steps:

1. Go to www.flls.org or your library’s website and access the catalog. Select your library, if needed.
2. In the menu, click on Search and then Keyword.
3. 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.

Writing Clubs

Other Club Ideas

Cookbook Club
Genealogy Club
Knitting Club
Pinterest Craft Club
Walking/Hiking Club
Dungeons & Dragons Club

Calendars and Special Events

Chase’s Calendar of Events: 2021 Special Months
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

Important Events

STEM/STEAM & Digital Programming Resources

STEM/STEAM

Coding

Gaming

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.