The Passive Programming Playbook: 101 Ways to Get Library Customers off the Sidelines

by Paula Willey, Andria L. Amaral

Overview

This book offers 101 passive programming ideas that are extendable, adaptable, customizable, and above all, stealable—so your passive programming never runs dry.

Passive programming is a cheap, quick, fun way to make all library customers feel like part of the community. It can support reading initiatives, foster family engagement, encourage visit frequency, and coax interaction out of library lurkers—while barely making a dent in your programming budget. Passive programming can be targeted at children, teens, adults, or seniors; used to augment existing programs; and executed in places where staff-led programming can't reach. It can be light-footed, spontaneous, and easily deployed to reflect and respond to current news, media, library events, and even the weather. But even passive programming pros run out of ideas sometimes, and when that happens, they want a fresh, funny source of inspiration.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440870569
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Paula Willey is a children's librarian in Baltimore, MD. She has written about children's literature and family engagement for publications such as School Library Journal, the Baltimore Sun, Booklist, VOYA, and Baltimore's Child.

Andria L. Amaral plans and develops public library programs and collections and services for students in grades 6–12. She serves on the board of the YALLFest young adult literature festival.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction ix

Part I Rules, Equipment, and Keeping Score

Chapter 1 Step Up Your Game: Why You Need Passive Programming in Your Library 3

Chapter 2 The Gear You Need = The Gear You Have 13

Chapter 3 Bring Your A Game: Best Practices 27

Chapter 4 Covering All the Bases: Passive Program Templates 39

Chapter 5 Run Up the Score and Win Fans: Stats and Sharing 53

Part II Let the Games Begin: 101+ Passive Programming Ideas

Chapter 6 Game Plans: A Week of Wonder 65

Chapter 7 You Make the Call: Themes and Ideas to Try Any Time of Year 73

Chapter 8 If You Build It, They Will Come: Special Spaces for Passive Programs 115

Chapter 9 The Whole Nine Yards: A Year of Inspiration 137

Chapter 10 Outside the Lines: The World Beyond Your Library 187

Chapter 11 Passive Programming for Panicky Times 199

Appendix: Resources 209

Bibliography 219

Index 221

What People are Saying About This

Kelly Jensen

"This vital guide to understanding the purpose, power, and creativity of passive programming in libraries will leave you eager to engage patrons of all ages in valuable ways. An excellent resource packed with ideas for every library budget and space."

Deborah Taylor

"This is such a clever and useful guide for helping busy librarians engage their customers. In addition to great ideas, it provides encouraging guidance for staff to design their own! An invaluable resource."

Rita Meade

"Public library workers know that passive programming is a lifesaver in the face of budget cuts and staffing shortages. With engaging and entertaining language, a clear layout, and first-hand understanding of working with the public (and an obvious love of what they do), Amaral and Willey have created a unique and valuable guide to help you supplement your programming schedule and meet your community's needs without burning yourself out (while being inclusive and imaginative at the same time). I plan on stealing MANY of the ideas contained in this book—this is a resource I will turn to again and again!"

Julie Dietzel-Glair

"This book has something for librarians everywhere. Have a small library? There are ideas for you. Have a large space but no budget? There are ideas for you. This isn’t just programming for kids; Willey and Amaral show readers how to use passive programming to reach elusive teens and busy adults. You’d think a book like this would be dry. But no! Using a fun and conversational tone, first they tell you how to use the tools that you have, then they give you ideas upon ideas upon ideas. My only problem with this book is trying to decide which passive program to use in my library first."

Rose Brock

"Patron outreach and programming are central functions of libraries, but with all the tasks required in successfully running a facility, finding ways to implement library-led activities can be daunting. Passive library programming is the answer to any weary librarian who wishes they could do more—it supplements traditional programming and offers a way to engage library patrons at their own pace and interest level through self-directed activities. The Passive Programming Playbook highlights the most inclusive, accommodating, and adaptable programs for patrons of all ages and is an outstanding resource that provides librarians easy, effective, and assessable ways to serve their community well through meaningful library experiences. Rich with innovative ideas that leverage additional interactions with patrons, this worthy addition should be welcomed into your professional collection to support your patron engagement endeavors."

Megan Emery Schadlich

"Reading this book, I felt like I was in the room with an optimistic friend—one who would enthusiastically brainstorm with me from a place of honesty and flexibility. One who is rooting for everyone, because they believe in them! I so wish I'd had this book when I was starting out."

Editorial Reviews

Packed with great ideas that require little money or staff time, this volume will appeal broadly to library program planners, particularly those on tight budgets and those who want to expand patron participation.” —Library Journal

“Both public and school librarians can get inspired by these fun ideas; teen library councils could also have a great time designing and implementing these passive programs.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

07/01/2021

For those who work in libraries, "programming" tends to mean gathering people in a group to listen to a speaker or learn a new skill. In this guide, Willey (Enoch Pratt Free Lib., Baltimore) and YA librarian Amaral expand that definition to include passive programming, which describes activities that library patrons can engage in on their own. In Part 1, they explain why passive programs are good for both patrons and libraries: they're inclusive, adaptable, and budget-friendly; they improve outreach; and many libraries will already have the necessary supplies. The section also lays out best practices, outlines types of passive programming, and recommends ways to keep track of and share important statistics to raise the library's profile. In Part 2, Willey and Amaral group the activities into chapters around various themes and suggest strategies for offering these activities remotely. The appendix lists recommendations for supplies and where to source them. VERDICT Packed with great ideas that require little money or staff time, this volume will appeal broadly to library program planners, particularly those on tight budgets and those who want to expand patron participation.—Sara Holder, Univ. of Illinois Libs., Champaign

Library Journal

06/01/2021

This compendium of ideas focuses on ways to engage patrons through self-directed activities, otherwise known as passive programming. Starting with the why and the how, librarians Willey (an SLJ reviewer) and Amaral (a Library Journal 2016 Mover & Shaker) smartly give library staff the tools to both offer passive programming and convince administration of its importance. They provide templates of program archetypes, such as name generators, polls, and scavenger hunts, as well as ideas for weekly themes (e.g. "Media Monday"), pop culture and holiday tie-ins, and special space uses. A brief section discusses adaptations for COVID-19 and preparing for other "panicky times." Whatever the topic, examples are infinitely customizable, and the authors suggest ways to tweak ideas to spark even more creativity. The optimistic, conversational tone keeps the subject approachable and the programs doable. Most activities are quickly described, including just enough information without doing all the work for readers. Programs requiring significant prep time, however, helpfully include diverse booklists and samples. "Instant Replay" sidebars and occasional photographs connect with real-library examples. Resources, bibliography, and index are appended. However, for all the consideration Willey and Amaral give to issues of sensitivity and inclusion, sections on Harry Potter Book Night and Dr. Seuss Day do not reflect recent controversies surrounding those authors' works. Similarly, disabilities and, aside from references to Pride, LGBTQIA+ identities aren't as widely included as other identities in examples throughout. VERDICT Chock-full of ideas and inspiration, this book is a (mostly) great resource for library staff looking to creatively increase all-ages patron engagement.—Alec Chunn, Eugene Public Library, OR

School Library Journal