New e-book spotlights free and low-cost library programming

CHICAGO — There’s no need to spend hours trying to come up with creative programming ideas—bestselling library activity guru Ellyssa Kroski has already done all the hard work for you! Largely drawn from contributions by library workers across the country, “The Big Sourcebook of Free and Low-Cost Library Programming: 300+ Resources, Ideas, and Tools,” published by ALA Editions, is a cornucopia of ideas for inspiring countless fun and engaging programs at your library. Best of all, these exciting low cost/no-cost library programs can be implemented using only free resources. Offering a broad selection of ideas for adults, tweens, and younger children that can be tailored to a variety of contexts, inside this sourcebook you’ll discover:

• seniors and older adult programming resources on such topics as genealogy, financial literacy, lifelong learning, gardening, and health and wellness;
• career, ESL/literacy, and "just for fun" programs and book clubs perfect for adults;
• young adult programming resources such as the Book to Action toolkit, YALSA’s Teen Programming Guidelines, literacy and educational resources, computers and coding activities, live action roleplaying games (LARPS), and many more;
• free resources to teach financial responsibility to toddlers, lesson plans from NASA, resources to host an Earth Day event incorporating a “free trees for kids” program, StoryWalks and more ideas for children;
• makerspace, STEM, and art programming resources;
• Pinterest boards, idea lists, writing prompts, coloring pages, free books, and passive programming downloadables and printables;
• information about more than two dozen grant opportunities for funding programs; and
• planning templates, marketing tips, assessment resources, and tools for brainstorming and productivity.

This title is also available in e-book format for libraries and individuals through aggregators and other distributors—ask your current vendor for more information.

Kroski is the director of innovation and engagement at the New York Law Institute as well as an award-winning editor and author of 75 books, including “Law Librarianship in the Age of AI,” for which she won the 2020 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award from the American Association of Law Libraries. She is a librarian, an adjunct faculty member at San Jose State Universities, and an international conference speaker. She received the 2017 LITA/Library Hi Tech Award for her long-term contributions in the area of library and information science technology and its application.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman at editionsmarketing@ala.org.