Issues of Adult Programming

The main issues that affect a library’s ability to offer adult programming are:

Funding - Small libraries typically have small budgets. With priorities for funding programs that promote early literacy, it can be difficult to find extra funding for adult programs. One of the first steps to increasing your library’s adult programming would be to getting in on the budget. Hill (2008) found that of the four small town libraries she interviewed for her article only one had a line item in its budget for adult services programming (p. 8). Lear (2002) suggests that libraries seek additional funding from their Friends group. By documenting previously successful events the process of asking for additional funding can be made easier (pp.38-39).

Facilities – Small libraries may not have a large community room in which to have events. But a library can work a partnership with another facility in town that might have more space or invest in movable shelving that can be rearranged when a large gathering space is needed.

Participation – In small communities it can be difficult to draw the adult patrons into the library on their leisure time. Distance between home and the library building can be a factor as can busy family schedules. Hill (2008) noted that adults have “obligations that do not leave much time for anything else” and suggests that libraries be flexible “by not requiring advance registration or offering a range of program times” (p.8). When participation is limited at one event it becomes difficult to gain support for future events.

Access to resources – Much of the literature suggests finding performers through museums and colleges. In a rural area this may not be practical. Walvoord (2008, p.60) suggests tapping into non-profit organizations for volunteers that might be in your local area and that local businesses might provide a local expert for the free advertising that participating a library event would garner. On a quick exploration of the Internet, I was able to find that my state also had the Master Gardeners program that Walvoord recommends and this should certainly be an avenue available to many rural libraries. It is important for the small library to reach out to the local community for presenters. For example, in my library, we have a local resident who travels extensively. She has developed a regular following for her travelogues which she presents free of charge.

Staffing - Robertson (2005, p.5) found that only 47.1 percent of libraries believe that adult cultural programming was related to their library’s mission. This indicates that the level of commitment to programming in some libraries is still lacking. On a more basic level, a small library simply may not have the available staff time to properly develop cultural programming for adults. Hill (2008, p.8)) explains that some programs are planned four to six months ahead which leads me to wonder how a small library can afford the staff time to participate in programming.

Sources

Hill, R. (2008). Adult cultural programming in small town libraries. Indiana Libraries, 27(1), 7-9. http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/jumpstart.jhtml?recid=0bc05f7a67b1790e1916ca00094d315a10475c9c23db629a92280ad392a0da530f6200b3603b54c6&fmt=P

Lear, B. W. (2002). Adult programs in the library. Chicago: American Library Association.

Robertson, D.A. (2005). Cultural programming for libraries: Linking libraries, communities & culture. Chicago: American Library Association.

Walvoord, C. (2008, Summer). Go local: When planning adult and family programs. Texas Library Journal. 84(2), 60-61. http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/jumpstart.jhtml?recid=0bc05f7a67b1790e1916ca00094d315a10475c9c23db629aa577731b0151c2e4cd1dfda055008290&fmt=P