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209 Big Programming Ideas for Small Budgets
When you're a solo librarian or only have a few volunteers to rely on (with a tiny budget to match) you've got to make the most of everything. With creativity, flexibility, and heart, you can be the anchor your community needs, offering programming that engages people of all ages and backgrounds. In this book Price, whose library serves a town with a population of less than 300, shares dozens of ideas that have helped to triple attendance numbers in a three-year period, alongside many more suggestions from other libraries across the country. You'll learn how fun and easy DIY programming can be, inspiring you to
use passive programming like scavenger hunts and Lego towers to engage your patrons no matter when they visit your library;
adapt one of the dozens of low- or no-cost programs included, from library decorating parties and teen taste-tests to a local history night and a mini-golf tournament;
celebrate the different seasons of the year with ideas tied to a variety of holidays;
jump-start your outreach efforts by partnering with health clinics, museums, restaurants, local businesses, and other organizations and individuals in your community;
collaborate with your school district through initiatives like reading challenges and information literacy field trips;
get the word out using fliers, advertising, word of mouth marketing, your library's website, and social media;
avoid burnout and deal with stress, with suggestions for self-care and reinvigoration; and
host a benefit, launch a fundraising drive, or apply for grants using the tips and information provided in the book.
No matter their size, libraries are the lifeblood of their communities. Armed with this book's ideas and guidance, yours will be sure to connect successfully with the people you serve.
use passive programming like scavenger hunts and Lego towers to engage your patrons no matter when they visit your library;
adapt one of the dozens of low- or no-cost programs included, from library decorating parties and teen taste-tests to a local history night and a mini-golf tournament;
celebrate the different seasons of the year with ideas tied to a variety of holidays;
jump-start your outreach efforts by partnering with health clinics, museums, restaurants, local businesses, and other organizations and individuals in your community;
collaborate with your school district through initiatives like reading challenges and information literacy field trips;
get the word out using fliers, advertising, word of mouth marketing, your library's website, and social media;
avoid burnout and deal with stress, with suggestions for self-care and reinvigoration; and
host a benefit, launch a fundraising drive, or apply for grants using the tips and information provided in the book.
No matter their size, libraries are the lifeblood of their communities. Armed with this book's ideas and guidance, yours will be sure to connect successfully with the people you serve.
166 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 17, 2020
Easy to read Professional Development Book
October 10, 2023
Fantastic cost saving ideas that are quality.
December 21, 2023
While there was a lot of information that I was already familiar with, this hopeful and inspirational little volume packs a real punch with ideas and methods for small libraries to host programming (and outreach) that makes a real splash, without a lot of cash. I took copious notes and intend on following through with the new ideas that I've learned. For beginner or veteran librarians alike, and I think maybe some larger libraries could still benefit from this too!
March 25, 2021
Chelsea Price is just a Goddess when it comes to rural programming! A lot of GREAT ideas in here for any non profit that hosts events.
May 22, 2024
easy to read, formatted nicely, and presented some great ideas. I liked reading the specific examples from other library staff members. now that I'm working as an adult librarian at a small library, I'm going to be constantly writing down ideas to propose for future programming. unfortunately, a lot of the ideas in this book were geared toward kids (particularly the summer reading section, bummer) but I still took plenty of notes!
March 24, 2023
I truly enjoyed this! So many ingenious programming ideas, this book lived up to the title 100%! I have so many new ideas to try out this year, and next! Not only were programming ideas provided, but websites, blogs, and more for us to look into for even more ideas. I definitely recommend this to smaller libraries looking for ideas all in one place!
February 23, 2022
This has a lot of really excellent program ideas for rural libraries--even if your library can't do these exactly as they are in the book, they're easily adaptable and really inspiring! Plus, the book itself is nicely organized and accessible.
May 19, 2023
Tons of great ideas for library programs. Well worth it. I have done virtual trainings with this author on this topic, but didn't realize it was the same person until I saw the picture of her tiny branch in the book!
December 28, 2021
Loved all the ideas! Even if you're not a small library with a smaller budget, this can still work for you!
April 24, 2024
Lots of great ideas and an awesome section on burnout!
May 17, 2024
Whether you are just starting out in a library or are a seasoned vet of handling programming services, Chelsea Price has got well over a year's worth of ideas packed into this book.
While the title says 209 ideas, I guarantee that you will be coming up with many more jumping-off points to use at your own library.
The book covers all age ranges, though teens and youth are a bit more favored.
In addition to the 209 programs, there are a plethora of spin-off ideas that are only mentioned but can definitely spark the imaginations.
The huge thing (especially if you're new to libraries) is using community partnerships and outreach. I really appreciated this.
Another aspect of the book that Price repeatedly states is about staff mindfulness, giving oneself a break, finding the work-play balance, communication, and explaining the difference between failure versus large stat numbers.
Price also provides great ways to find funding and how to achieve goals regarding grants.
While none of these discussion points SHOULD be anything new to libraries, they still are, but Price gives us an updated simple (mostly tech free) and (mostly inexpensive) look at a way to do a year's worth of programming on very little. Let Chelsea and these other libraries mentioned take out the work for you, but let it also inspire you. You never know what service your library may be able to provide from a tool in this book.
While the title says 209 ideas, I guarantee that you will be coming up with many more jumping-off points to use at your own library.
The book covers all age ranges, though teens and youth are a bit more favored.
In addition to the 209 programs, there are a plethora of spin-off ideas that are only mentioned but can definitely spark the imaginations.
The huge thing (especially if you're new to libraries) is using community partnerships and outreach. I really appreciated this.
Another aspect of the book that Price repeatedly states is about staff mindfulness, giving oneself a break, finding the work-play balance, communication, and explaining the difference between failure versus large stat numbers.
Price also provides great ways to find funding and how to achieve goals regarding grants.
While none of these discussion points SHOULD be anything new to libraries, they still are, but Price gives us an updated simple (mostly tech free) and (mostly inexpensive) look at a way to do a year's worth of programming on very little. Let Chelsea and these other libraries mentioned take out the work for you, but let it also inspire you. You never know what service your library may be able to provide from a tool in this book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews