Adult Programming 2.0

Does your repertoire of adult programs seem a little stale? Do you wish attendance at your adult programs was higher? Would you like to connect your programming plan to your library’s strategic plan or mission and explore new methods of marketing? In this course you will be inspired by checking out what other public libraries are doing in the evolving world of adult programming.

After the completion of this course you will be able to…

• Evaluate the success of a program by defining its impact
• Develop a programming goal and objectives
• Use provided handouts/templates to design an ebook faire or ereader keeper craft program
• Identify resources for program inspiration
• Take your programs beyond performance to participation by adding programs that encourage active learning
• Develop best practices for effectively marketing programs (press releases, social media channels)

Course Description: In this four-week online course you will explore current trends in adult programming. Through readings, assignments, discussions and interviews (recorded and live) with active adult programmers in the field you will learn from libraries who are producing Makerspaces, ebook faires and programs that promote civic engagement. You will also get ideas for multicultural and multigenerational programs and hear from libraries who are incorporating Facebook ads and video trailers into their marketing. The instructor will provide resources, best practices, and useful tips and techniques that can be applied immediately in your library.

Guest Interviews for the Course:

(Live webinar) Sally Thomas, Adult Services Librarian, Hayward Public Library

Inspired by the Multnomah County Library, Sally Thomas launched the first Book-to-Action program in California in 2011 at the Hayward Public Library. She is the principal author of the Book-to-Action Toolkit, published by the California State Library in 2012. Sally leads a monthly book group, oversees a peer writing group, and organizes author events among many other programs, including the Hayward Public Library's community book giveaway associated with the annual World Book Night program. In this live webinar, Sally will describe and answer questions about Book-to-Action, an innovative program that promotes civic engagement.

Through recorded interviews you will also hear from Nina Simon, Executive Director of the Museum of Art & History at McPherson Center in Santa Cruz, California (how to move beyond passive programming toward more active and interactive programs) and Ben Bizzle, Director of Technology at Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, Arkansas (practical and inspirational tips on how to effectively promote your programs using a combination of print and social media).

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

• Week 1: Overview and Foundation of Adult Programming
  • Value of Adult Programming
  • Tying programming to your library’s strategic plan or mission
  • How to develop programming goals and objectives
• Week 2: eBook Programs and Book Clubs 2.0
  • Tips on planning an eReader/eBook faire
  • Community action book clubs
  • Online book clubs
  • Adult Storytimes
• Week 3: Makerspaces and Other Specialized Programming
  • Makerspace programs
  • Multicultural programming
  • Intergenerational programs
  • Civic Engagement Programs
• Week 4: Marketing and Troubleshooting
  • Branding
  • Viral marketing
  • Video software for promoting programs

Pre-course Assignment: Learners are asked to complete a short survey about their experience with adult programming that will assist the instructor.

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2½ hours per week, for a total of ten course hours. Each week's module contains readings and various options for assignments, discussions, interviews, and online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Anyone who is new to adult programming, or those who haven’t done it in awhile, as well as those who are more experienced with adult programming who would like to see how it is evolving.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

Course Start: This online learning course starts on Tuesday, January 28 2014.

After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.