Support

Need another way to promote your library?  Need to boost your numbers?  Do you have an empty meeting room at night?  Creating programming for adults may be the answer to your problems.  This may sound intimidating to library staff who tend to be experts in children’s programming.  However, there are considerable resources to help you with funding and ideas that cater to adults.

The Texas Commission of the Arts provides grants for libraries that offer programs featuring performers in music, dance, folk arts, theater and the literary world. 

Texas Forums promote the use of deliberative dialogue in public discussion on challenging issues.  Check out  their site for ideas on creating this form of dialogue within your library.

Several Alamo Area Library System members offer a lively variety of adult programming.  Contact the Boerne Public Library, Bulverde/Spring Branch Library or New Braunfels Public Library for a list of their programs.

Summer reading programs for adults are becoming popular in many libraries.  Here’s a tip sheet from Collaborative Summer Library Program on starting a program.  Three libraries that are well known for their summer adult programs are Seattle, Brooklyn and Mid-Hudson Library System. 

Book clubs are particularly popular in the AALS libraries.  You can find free book club books at the AALS Office.  Call 210/207-2609 for our latest titles and number of copies.  If you are interested in starting a book club, a good place to start is “Love to Read: Finding Books and Book Clubs”. 

Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries (SWON) maintain the Public Library Adult Program Planners Network.  They have information on adult programs and monitor a list for librarians that manage adult programs.

The American Library Association (ALA)’s Sample Programming Ideas combines a programming theme with the “@ your library” campaign.

If your library is interested in hosting a traveling exhibit, the Library of Congress lists several exhibits available to libraries.  There are requirements for hosting such as meeting specific temperature, humidity, lighting, and security guidelines.