CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office announced a new online resource for librarians who present cultural and community programs and events: the Programming Librarian’s Guide to Annual Conference (www.programminglibrarian.org/annual). Part of ProgrammingLibrarian.org, with a conference calendar feature and consolidated listings of programs and events scheduled for the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans, June 23-28, the guide is a one-stop resource to help programming librarians get the most of their conference experience.

Programs for adult, youth and family audiences build visibility for the library and enhance the library community’s ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and cultural engagement. Programs and events featured in the Programming Librarian’s Guide to the ALA Annual Conference will present new programming models and formats, resources and inspiration for program development and practical tips for fundraising, promotion and building community partnerships, all serving the development of the library as a community cultural center.

Development of ProgrammingLibrarian.org 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 essential part of library service in public, academic, school and special libraries.  In keeping with that mission, ProgrammingLibrarian.org offers librarians timely and valuable information to support libraries in the creation of high-quality cultural programs for their communities.  

Successful library programming initiatives from the ALA Public Programs Office have included “Let’s Talk About It” reading and discussion series, traveling exhibitions, film discussion programs, the Great Stories CLUB, Live! @ your library and more.  In 2002, the ALA Public Programs Office established the Cultural Communities Fund, an endowment to support all types of libraries bring communities together through cultural programming (www.ala.org/ccf).  For more information about the ALA Public Programs Office, visit www.ala.org/publicprograms.

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