ALA Public Programs Office debuts free programming resource
Contact: Angela Thullen
Program Officer, Communications
(312) 280-5286
NEWS
For Immediate Release
January 21, 2009
ProgrammingLibrarian.org offers practical advice and inspiration
CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office is announcing a new online resource to assist libraries of all types and sizes in creating cultural and community programs. The Web site,
ProgrammingLibrarian.org, includes a resource library, live learning opportunities and a blog to keep librarians informed of upcoming opportunities and provide inspiration for new library programs. As the site continues to develop, users will find more resources, ideas, and opportunities to network with peers and programming experts.
The goal of
ProgrammingLibrarian.org is to assist librarians in finding authoritative resources for cultural programming, train librarians in cultural programming techniques using a variety of online methods and involve library schools in examining the need for courses in cultural programming. In addition finding ideas and resources, site users are welcome to contribute information and ideas from their own experiences in developing cultural programs of their communities. Live webinars will be held regularly to create not just a resource center, but a community of librarians committed to bringing increased access to literature, music, contemporary issues, art, history, poetry, scholars, writers and musicians to their communities.
Development of the site is funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Service to the ALA Public Programs Office, which fosters cultural programming as an integral part of library service. In keeping with that mission,
ProgrammingLibrarian.org offers librarians timely and valuable information to support them in the creation of high-quality cultural programs for their communities.
Established in 1992, the ALA Public Programs Office has an exemplary track record of developing library programming initiatives, including the acclaimed reading and discussion series "Let's Talk About It," film discussion programs on humanities themes, traveling exhibitions, LIVE! @ your library® and other programs. Recently, it has established the Cultural Communities Fund, an endowment created to help all types of libraries across the country bring communities together through cultural programming (
www.ala.org/ccf). For more information about the ALA Public Programs Office, visit
www.ala.org/publicprograms.
