36 Adult Program Ideasin 90 MinutesAmy Alessiowww.amyalessio.com amyalessio@sbcglobal.net

Programs Easily Adapted for Any Theme (Almost!) Writing Contests: flash, themed, poetry,

skit, song lyrics (Prize is publication.) Tasters: inexpensive foods on a theme like

chocolate, history, demonstrations Crafts: button making, origami, coloring,

photos and frames, bookmarks Local history: feature speakers, library

collections, photos Social Media and Relevant Apps/Sites

More Easily Adapted Programs Charitable Drives: food for fines, pet food,

costumes, prom gowns Photo or Video contests: in the library or

community, reading, promoting a service, book trailers, family history

Art: fairs, themed contest, scrapbooking, digital, try new medium fair, feature local artists or museums

Music: local performers, all ages, learn to download from library site, listen on new tech, variety shows, karaoke

Money & Health: local services, library resources, information fairs, improvement techniques

How To Participate

•Chat it Up!•Prizes•Organized transcript

•Handout•Slides

Fitness Fair Interactive Wii Games Pedometers: Step It Up

Library Scavenger Hunt Demonstrations from Park

District: 20 minute intervals

Health representative taking biometrics

Smoothie Making De-Stress Meditation Massage Station Demonstration of fitness

apps

Chinese New Year Video of Dragon Dance Music, cookies

http://www.minimalisti.com/decoration/new-year/12/chinese-new-year-crafts-for-kids.html

Zodiac chart to color Red Envelope Craft:

http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/World/chineseredenvelope/chineseredenvelope.html

Fortune type slips in cookies or on bookmarks stuck in books advertising the program.

Language learning materials

Superbowl: Snacks by Decades 1930s/40s: Velveeta,

brownies 1950’s: Mini Burger Bar,

Chex Mix 1960’s: Bugles, Pringles,

Mini frank kabobs 1970’s: fondue, cheese

balls,Grape jelly/chili dip 1980’s: Cream

Cheese/pepper jelly 1990’s: cupcakes

February: Black History MonthGenealogy programsUnderground Railroad sitesHistorical speaker – invite audience to wear costumesMusiciansDisplay of InventionsVote on favorite authors by genre

Passionate Readers & Viewers!• Mood music• Raffled candles, chocolate, books

• Tasted bits of chocolates from drug stores, voted

• Served bubbling grape juice

• Varied range of material in books, music, movies

MOVIE PARTY AND TRIVIA

Gourmet Popcorn

After Hours Oscar Night Party

Short Movie

Festival

March: Rosie Plus the Role of Women in WWII

Self Defense and Safety

Police Department Scams towards seniors Making your house safe Safety Online Self Defense Special class for seniors In lobby, or class

Basketball Fest

Nostalgic movies Video game tournament

for adults of NBA2K16 Trivia games

Match player to town Mascots Game trivia Make dream team for

prize drawings

April: National Library WeekSwaps and Other Simple Celebrations• Info Fair by departments• Departments make something

to auction • Tours: Live or Virtual• Flea Market and Craft Fair• Comic Swap• Authors with publishing

workshop• Learn Something New – punch

cards for watching videos• T/F: Library Common Sense

Money SmartResources

Demonstration

Tip BoardTeen or

NextGen Budget Contest

Budgeting and

Investing Apps

Coupon Clipping

Library Virtual 5K (and other Healthy Gadgets) Staff post how much they walk on desk throughout the

week Patrons post photo of themselves walking in the library

or throughout the month for a prize Walk a 5K and screen shot Map My Walk or other

evidence. Enter with $10 towards Friends, inexpensive medals

Live walking 5K around library. Steps scavenger hunt or Geocaching within library

May: Star Wars Day Movies & Coloring Costume cosplay for adults Trivia or Timeline Books Parody movie contest Fan fiction contest Origami Yoda Soda Rebel Legion https://theoutreachlibrarian.com/2012/04/04/may-the-

fourth-be-with-you/

Easy Adult Child Crafts(time to clean out the closet)

Recipe Scrapbooking Paint and Book Cover Night (hold the wine for staff) Apron Decoration Painting /coloring: photo frames, tote bags, t-shirts,

notebook covers Tye Dye socks Beaded bookmarks Bookmark design contest Cards for charity, gifts 3D printed keychains

World of Flavors Tasting and Exchange

Restaurants with tasting (registration)

Get treats from local stores – even cookies!

Patrons bring copies of recipes

History of area with samples of foods, recipes

Holiday themed

*Read a Latte all year round*Reading challenges – no

registration!*Allow programs to count*Drawings per book read*Prize is book or fine clearing

coupons*Send photos wearing library

shirt*How many items in library

tote?

* June: Engaging Adults with Summer Reading Ideas

*Hidden Local Gems: One Day Trips to Remember• With foods• Speakers from historical

sites• Bus trips• Virtual tour – picture, cost,

website info. • Ask for coupons from sites

Car Show + Safety

• Hooking media up • Emergency kits• Shopping through

library sites• What to look for in

used cars

Also:Bike Trails

Safety townID

July: Treats & Beats by the Decade

*Library County Fair

*Growing competitions*Oldest items*Collections*Book wreaths*Quilts & Pies? *Discussion of craft

competitions*Talk on local farmers

marketsIs she serious?

*Book Olympics Family Event

*How fast they can put books away and clean…*Putting books or DVDs in order*Scavenger hunts*Relays at your own discretion*Mini golf*Set up a themed display*Synchronized cart movement

AUGUST MYSTERY NIGHT

Crimescene as display or one-time program (Paper Towns program)2008 Texas Teen Reads ManualMystery flavorsClassic crime TV & moviesT/F Town ordinance laws vs. historicalImprov mystery solvingCSI from police

*Spelling Bee + Puzzle

Competitions• Audience sends in words under limits, themes

• Small prizes• Puzzle speed

• Puzzle stations• Create own

*Local learning fair

*Library classes for adults*ESL*Continuing Ed. Representatives from

colleges, high schools*Online Learning Options – through library?*Park District*Museums*Colleges: auditing lectures

September:Fall Into Something New

Style and Fashions: scarves, jewelry making, hairstyles Sushi demonstration, or other no-cook healthy choices Resume Refresh, Social Media review Travel tips: local favorites, upcoming museum exhibits New and readalikes for popular books & media Download and Go: technology demonstrations House Refresh: speakers on painting tips, woodworking Park District: new sports classes

Library Card Sign-Up Month

• Use card at local businesses• Drawing for getting or renewing card• Swipe card for drawing – virtual or live• Clear fines with visible card• Drawings for entire households with cards• Using your card from home scavenger hunt• Flash fiction library themed contest• Show card around community photos

Hispanic Heritage Month

Map your heritage Match photo to country Match food photo to country Ojo de Dios family craft Corn Husk Spice Painting (Harris

Cty. Tx. Lib.) Language learning materials

http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.org/Home_Page.html

October: Mindfulness, Yoga and Smoothies• Speakers for mindfulness,

laughter, relaxation• Massage techniques• Yoga instructors for simple

workshop• Office fitness• Smoothies or Yogurt parfait

samplers (DIY)• Teas• Making tabletop zen gardens, zen

terrariums

Nostalgic Halloween Party and Blood Drive Vintage horror movie or 80’s

monsters: Freddie, Chucky, Jason

Halloween cartoons Duct tape or toliet paper

costumes – mini contests Finish the scary story

contest or flash scary fiction 1000 words

Storytelling 101 – outside Dirt cup parfaits Decorate cookies

Diwali

Ethnic markets – décor and food Local music or dance programs Henna painting How to drape a sari Decorate a Diya – prepare with base coat

http://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-a-Diya http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs/diwali

November: Veterans Thank You Open House

• Create a Card Party • Online Photo

Montage• Collect Photos,

Memorabilia• Veterans Benefits,

Spouses• Records of What

Units from Area Were in Each Major Conflict Including Civil War

NaNoWriMo• Steps for Success – Getting Started• Demonstrations of how to login in

lobby• Write-Ins – allow time after writing

programs• Celebration event in January – next

steps? • Interactive display of local word

counts• Tweeting author quotes• Display of books on writing,

biographies

November: Knitting for Charity

Have this program in visible area to invite more Host throughout the month Staff or guest teachers simple stitches.

Collect squares for Warm Up America Better students will make small blankets for animal shelters Drop in event to knot polar fleece blankets for local shelters

December: Make and Take

Fill glass balls with glitter, garland, shredded paper Print photos, decorate frames Paper:

http://www.smallhomelove.com/fun-easy-paper-ornaments-2/ http://carolyncreates.com/3-easy-paper-ornaments/

Night Star Gazing

Telescope at certain place, certain times

Partnership with college, expert

Patrons record who can see what

Getting started in stargazing

Astrology 101: What’s in store for you next year?

Holiday Library Open House:Virtual and Live Marketing features Invitation to special event Music, local high school groups Set hours: Free, fast and fun for all ages Demonstrations of timesaving tips or activities in each

department Peaceful place to sit and read if desired Local food vendor Virtual: virtual tour, resources for easing year end stress,

holiday traditional stories

Questions?Amy Alessio

amyalessio@sbcglobal.net