Support for Library Humanities Programming in the Covid Era

FAIN: GA-276338-20

ALA (Chicago, IL 60611-2729)
Deborah Robertson (Project Director: May 2020 to present)

Retention of nine staff members of the American Library Association’s Public Programming Office.

The American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Programs Office (PPO) requests $300,000 in NEH CARES relief funding to support continued efforts in four key areas for work: professional development and peer-sharing; development of future humanities projects; professional recognition; and measurement and evaluation. ALA PPO’s nine-person staff collaborates with librarians, humanities scholars, artists and documentarians, scientists and financial literacy experts, museums, and others to create and scale nationwide programming opportunities, grants, and traveling exhibitions for U.S. libraries, and to offer professional development, recognition, and research that supports the vital work of programming librarians. NEH CARES support will help ALA continue serving libraries and librarians, sustaining and growing their efforts to provide humanities programming and content during this critical time and on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.

Associated Products

Virtual Events from Your State Humanities Council (Blog Post)
Title: Virtual Events from Your State Humanities Council
Author: Sarah Ostman
Abstract: Have you checked out your state humanities council’s event calendar lately? You may be surprised at the range of virtual options, whether you’re looking for a smart lecture to while away a quiet afternoon or an engaging event to share with your patrons on social media.
Date: 8/14/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/virtual-events-your-state-humanities-council
Website: Programming Librarian

Junior Ambassadors Program (Blog Post)
Title: Junior Ambassadors Program
Author: Anne Amrhein
Abstract: Batesville Intermediate School brings a global perspective to students through a book club focused on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Date: 8/31/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/programs/junior-ambassadors-program
Website: Programming Librarian

A Very 2020 Book Club Reading List (Blog Post)
Title: A Very 2020 Book Club Reading List
Author: Hannah Arata
Abstract: Are you looking for book club reads that can help us make sense of 2020? We asked librarians for their recommendations on books that are relevant to this tumultuous year. Fiction or nonfiction, new or old — these books speak to the unique times we're going through.
Date: 9/3/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/very-2020-book-club-reading-list
Website: Programming Librarian

Black Bethlehem: Documenting the Black Experience in a Majority-White Town (Blog Post)
Title: Black Bethlehem: Documenting the Black Experience in a Majority-White Town
Author: Hannah Arata
Abstract: The Black Bethlehem Project is the first-of-its kind study of the Black experience in Bethlehem, Pa.
Date: 9/15/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/black-bethlehem-documenting-black-experience-majority-white-town
Website: Programming Librarian

Leading a Virtual Film Discussion in 7 Steps (Blog Post)
Title: Leading a Virtual Film Discussion in 7 Steps
Author: Sarah Ostman
Abstract: Nearly as ubiquitous to libraries as book clubs, film discussions can spark powerful conversations and build community. That engagement doesn't have to end because of COVID-19. We spoke with Juan Rubio, program manager for digital media and learning at the Seattle Public Library, for a step-by-step guide to hosting your first virtual film discussion.
Date: 10/21/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/leading-virtual-film-discussion-7-steps
Website: Programming Librarian

Librarians On: Marketing Virtual Humanities Programs (Blog Post)
Title: Librarians On: Marketing Virtual Humanities Programs
Author: Hannah Arata
Abstract: As 2020 begins to wind down, we can reflect on all that we’ve learned about virtual programming. Many of us entered the year as novices, but we're leaving it with some serious skills — whether from wrangling a boisterous virtual book club or shifting a cultural heritage festival from stage to screen. But have you mastered the art of marketing your virtual programs? Or are you still struggling to get people to log in? We reached out to 10 librarians who specialize in program marketing and asked what they’re doing to increase attendance at their virtual humanities programs. Here’s what they said.
Date: 10/23/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/librarians-marketing-virtual-humanities-programs
Website: Programming Librarian

10 Minutes with Donna Seaman: Virtual Author Talks (Blog Post)
Title: 10 Minutes with Donna Seaman: Virtual Author Talks
Author: Sarah Ostman
Abstract: If you’ve hosted an author talk or moderated a panel discussion in person, rest assured: online, the drill is pretty similar. “Nothing is more important than preparation,” says Donna Seaman, Booklist’s Adult Books Editor and an award-winning literary critic who has interviewed hundreds of authors throughout her career. “The more fluent you are in the writer’s work, the better the conversation.” Still, Seaman cautions, you may need to make a few adjustments in a virtual setting. Here are her tips.
Date: 11/10/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/10-minutes-donna-seaman-virtual-author-talks
Website: Programming Librarian

Pedaling Through History: Pedal PV at Palos Verdes Library (Blog Post)
Title: Pedaling Through History: Pedal PV at Palos Verdes Library
Author: Hannah Arata
Abstract: Archivist and adult services librarian Monique Sugimoto uses her scenic bike commute as inspiration for the Pedal PV video series.
Date: 12/8/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/pedaling-through-history-pedal-pv-palos-verdes-library
Website: Programming Librarian

7 Ways to Make Your Virtual Programs More Accessible to Patrons with Disabilities (Blog Post)
Title: 7 Ways to Make Your Virtual Programs More Accessible to Patrons with Disabilities
Author: Hannah Arata
Abstract: How accessible are your virtual programs? You may inadvertently be leaving some people out. Here are 7 ways to make your virtual programs more accessible for people with disabilities.
Date: 12/18/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/7-ways-make-your-virtual-programs-more-accessible-patrons-disabilities
Website: Programming Librarian

2021 Virtual Events from Your State Humanities Council (Blog Post)
Title: 2021 Virtual Events from Your State Humanities Council
Author: Sarah Ostman
Abstract: The beginning of 2021 is packed with great state humanities council events! You may be surprised at the range of virtual options, whether you’re looking for a smart lecture to while away a quiet afternoon or an engaging event to share with your patrons on social media.
Date: 12/31/2020
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/2021-virtual-events-your-state-humanities-council
Website: Programming Librarian

An Outrage: Hosting a Virtual Scholar-Led Screening and Discussion (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: An Outrage: Hosting a Virtual Scholar-Led Screening and Discussion
Abstract: The nationwide uprising for racial justice could spur fundamental shifts in how Americans remember and reckon with the past. Join us to learn how your library can play a constructive role by hosting a virtual film screening and discussion program.
Author: Joslyn Bowling Dixon
Author: Lance Warren
Author: Hannah Ayers
Date: 9/9/2020
Location: Virtual
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/outrage-hosting-virtual-scholar-led-screening-and-discussion

Getting (Through) This Together: A Community-Based Archival Collaboration (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Getting (Through) This Together: A Community-Based Archival Collaboration
Abstract: Document your Story: COVID-19 Pandemic Project Archive brought together three community organizations to collect and preserve material created during COVID-19 from many different perspectives. This project has collected material from a variety of community members, such as local artists, diarists, the local business community, Muncie citizens, and Ball State University students, faculty and staff. While this project started as a way to encourage people in Muncie and Delaware County, Ind., to tell their stories during this time, it has developed into a mechanism for continued collaboration within our community. In this session, we will discuss the collaboration process, the steps taken to collect material and future plans to create a digital community archive.
Author: Sarah M. Allison
Author: Patrick Collier
Author: James J. Connolly
Author: Sara McKinley
Date: 10/7/2020
Location: Virtual
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/getting-through-together-community-based-archival-collaboration

Junior Ambassadors (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Junior Ambassadors
Abstract: Learn about the Batesville Intermediate School's Junior Ambassadors program, which used the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Book Club for young people to bring a global perspective to the school’s curriculum.
Author: Anne Amrhein
Date: 11/5/2020
Location: Virtual
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/ala%E2%80%99s-sara-jaffarian-award-presents-junior-ambassadors

Centering Humans in Humanities Programming (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Centering Humans in Humanities Programming
Abstract: Join us for a live conversation about the importance and exciting possibilities of humanities programming.
Author: Caitlin Goodman
Author: Mimosa Shah
Author: Margaret Woodruff
Author: B.B. Browne
Date: 11/19/2020
Location: Virtual
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/centering-humans-humanities-programming

Teen Reading Lounge: Continuing to Engage Your Teens in a Virtual Space (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Teen Reading Lounge: Continuing to Engage Your Teens in a Virtual Space
Abstract: Join us for a free webinar presentation and panel discussion from Pennsylvania Humanities Council members and library practitioners. In this live session, you will learn about PHC’s award-winning, nontraditional book club, the Teen Reading Lounge and how they adapted their programming to a virtual setting during the ongoing pandemic. You will also gain an understanding of how TRL participants (youth ages 12 – 18) apply the humanities to inspire tangible actions in their communities.
Author: Dr. Valerie N. Adams-Bass
Author: Tammy Blount
Author: Aurora Sanchez
Author: Julia Terry
Date: 12/15/2020
Location: Virtual
Primary URL: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/teen-reading-lounge-continuing-engage-your-teens-virtual-space

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