Programming

Format: Webinar, original date June 5, 2014
Hosted by: WebJunction, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, and Library Journal
Length: 1 hour

Library Journal's annual Best Small Library in America Award, cosponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was created in 2005 to discover and reward exemplary work by libraries serving populations under 25,000, and to showcase these best practices to provide a replicable case study for their peers. In collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and Library Journal, we are pleased to host this webinar featuring the two most recent award winners, 2013 Best Small Library in America: Southern Area Public Library and 2014 Best Small Library in America: Pine River Library. Join us to learn how these two libraries have developed creative programming, extensive partnerships, and innovative and responsive services so they can identify, meet, and even anticipate the ever-evolving needs of their communities.

Presented by: Amy Dodson, Mary Beth Stenger, and Meredith Schwartz

Format: Webinar, original date June 14, 2022
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

The Euphorigen Investigation is an escape room that immerses players in a world of manipulated media, social media bots, deepfakes and other forms of deception. Featuring both an online and in-person version to help patrons navigate misinformation, Euphorigen was designed by faculty, staff, and students at the University of Washington Information School in response to library staff requests for alternatives to traditional information literacy programs. In this webinar we’ll explore how the designers approach teaching about misinformation, learn how libraries are using the escape room with their patrons, and find out how to get started with the Euphorigen Investigation at your library.

Presented by: Dr. Jin Ha Lee, Chris Coward, and Tracy Ashby

Format: Webinar, original date July 22, 2021
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

“Justice for all” is a core American value, and yet access to legal assistance is not guaranteed by our civil legal system. Barriers to civil legal justice disproportionately affect low-income people in the U.S., creating the justice gap—the divide between the civil legal needs and the resources to meet those needs. Many people cannot afford a lawyer and may not even realize they need one. Public libraries are well positioned to be an access point in bridging the justice gap, particularly programming that connects patrons to the civil legal resources and information they need. Presenters will share their experiences with effective and creative civil legal programming that meets their community’s needs. Participants will gain knowledge on how to collaborate with local organizations and explore ways library programming can align with advancing access to justice.

Presented by: Gemma Rose, Rebecca (Becky) Hass and Brooke Doyle

Format: Webinar, original date February 26, 2015
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Board games have social, creative, and educational potential. Schools are using games and game mechanisms as enrichment activities with application to the Common Core. It's time that libraries got "on board" as well! Following on the successful "Board in the Library" series published on WebJunction, this webinar will provide practical advice on how to choose the right games for your community, how to set up your own circulating board game collection--including a quick inexpensive starting collection--and how to plan board gaming events. Learn more about modern board games--their rules, mechanics, classifications and themes. Game on!

Presented by: John Pappas and Marti Fuerst

Format: Webinar, original date April 19, 2016
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

The Library as Incubator Project (LAIP) promotes the library as a place to connect and create. LAIP has networked with hundreds of libraries who are working with their communities to incubate and inspire creative projects. They have talked with scores of artists, writers, makers, performers, and other creatives about how they use their libraries and how their libraries can serve them even better. In this webinar, LAIP shares program and project ideas, resources and case studies to turn your library into a creativity incubator. Take the workable, scalable programming and resource framework from LAIP and become a hub for supporting creatives of all types and skill levels in your community. 

Presented by: Laura Damon-Moore

Format: Webinar, original date April 25, 2019
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Strong social cohesion is a crucial factor in a community’s resilience in times of stress and disruption. Unfortunately, studies show that our communities are experiencing a steady erosion of social cohesion, pointing to an increase in loneliness, depression, and separation because of too much time spent online and too little time spent in community. Libraries have the position and the power to rebuild social bonds, offering that sense of community and shared place that humans crave. Active learning programs that bring people together for participatory, shared experiences are a boost to community strength, but they could go even further to amplify social connection and build social infrastructure. Join us as we explore library programs through the lens of social possibilities and devise strategies to be more intentional about forging stronger community bonds.

Presented by: Betha Gutsche and Jennifer Peterson

Format: Webinar, original date July 11, 2019
Hosted by: Infopeople
Length: 1 hour

Did you know that crafts are considered to be an excellent way to work through the pressures of daily life stressors? For over a century in the United States, crafts have played an integral part in therapeutic practices. The idea of providing crafts as a creative outlet emerged during the First World War in response to the needs of the returning soldiers. More recently, research has revealed that crafts can provide a variety of tangible health benefits, such as feelings of relaxation, stress relief, a sense of accomplishment, increased happiness, reduced anxiety, and enhanced confidence.

In this webinar, presenter Kimberli Buckley will discuss how to put together an adult craft program on a budget, how to utilize crafts to promote awareness, and she will offer a wide variety and range of craft examples that will prove that crafts aren’t just for kids. Additionally, she will discuss history of crafts and the current state of the crafting world as well as the therapeutic and health benefits that crafts can provide for adults.

Presented by: Kimberli Buckley

Format: Webinar, original date August 17, 2021
Hosted by: WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries
Length: 1 hour

Our communities are made up of people and their stories. And what better place is there to help tell, share, and preserve these stories than the library! Sparked by the efforts of the Keene Valley Library in New York, OurStoryBridge is a project which helps libraries capture and share the rich social and cultural history of their communities. The project has released a free toolkit of resources for library staff and volunteers to create online, three-to five- minute oral histories, a format that appeals to young and old today. The toolkit includes everything a library needs to know to start a story project, such as step by step instructions, “how-to” videos, sample documents, and a guide to help teachers engage their students in community stories. Join the creator of OurStoryBridge and staff at two libraries who have implemented the program to hear their experiences with this inspiring and impactful project and learn how your library can participate.

Presented by: Jery Y. Huntley, AJ Gooden, and Debby Carter

Format: Webinar, original date January 11, 2023
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Virtually every library has patrons who are veterans, military service members, or military family members. Learn from this webinar as library staff with experience developing programming for the veteran and military communities share best practices and practical ideas for engaging veteran and military-affiliated patrons. The presenters will also share the Libraries & Veterans Toolkit, a new resource to help workers at all types of libraries garner new ideas for veteran-related exhibits, book clubs, events, collections, celebrations and more.

Presented by: Sarah LeMire, Dawn LaValle, Christy Billings, and Lee Ann Amend

Format: Webinar, original date February 26, 2016
Hosted by: Big Talk from Small Libraries, Nebraska Library Commission
Length: 1 hour

Regardless of your library and town size, you can help with your adult patrons’ ongoing learning. There is a wide variety of ways in which we can accomplish this effort. Attend this workshop to learn about putting together a Lifelong Learning Lecture Series at your library – it doesn’t have to require a lot of staff time, effort, or money. Learn some tips and tricks to make it work at YOUR library.

Presented by: Meg Wempe

Format: Webinar, original date January 23, 2019
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Libraries have long been at the forefront of providing community access to new technologies. Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR) are now finding a place in library programming and services, engaging with communities in truly innovative ways. Two Maryland libraries are building their programming with straightforward approaches to community discovery and local partnerships. Join us to hear creative ideas for how to get started using VR/AR/MR at your library, as well as practical tips about applications, equipment and potential uses to meet your community’s needs.

Presented by: Jen Bishop and Liz Sundermann-Zinger