Adult Programming Palooza

Submitted by Brooke Richards

I attended this year's Adult Programming Palooza, held at the Southwest Chatham Library in Savannah. Representatives from GPLS, GLA, and many library systems presented on various adult programs and related topics.

Dustin Landrum from GPLS was our first presenter, and he shared tips on building community partnerships. While he was speaking from his experience at GPLS, Dustin emphasized how working with groups at the community level can be very impactful. Some of his most important tips were to look for programs or services that your organization wants to be involved in, be flexible, and be professionally friendly. He suggested partnering with groups like local universities, parks, historical societies, clubs, and businesses in order to provide more resources, services, and programs for patrons.

Our next event was program speed dating. We visited seven groups to learn about successful programs they have presented.

1. Anniversary Memory Wall (Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center, Cobb County Public Library)
2. Murder and Mimosas (Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Coastal Plain Regional Library System)
3. Community Blanket Project (Pooler Library, Live Oak Public Libraries)
4. Case of the College Sweetheart (Georgia Southern University Libraries)
5. Garden Party and Plant Swap (Live Oak Public Libraries)
6. Move and Groove Series (South Cobb Regional Library, Cobb County Public Library)
7. Speed Dating (Gainesville Library, Hall County Library System).

My favorite was the Case of the College Sweetheart, which was a semi-virtual game experience based on escape rooms. The idea was created to adapt an escape room to social distancing requirements, but has now allowed Georgia Southern to circulate kits that students can play at their own pace with (or without) others. Their physical kits contain clues. Players follow a link to an online portal to put their answers into.

Adam Pitts from Gwinnett County Public Library spoke about Libraries Build Business (an ALA initiative intended to increase programs to underrepresented entrepreneurs) and its implementation at Gwinnett. They developed the New Start Entrepreneurship Incubator, a six-month program to help formerly incarcerated individuals start their own business. Patrons attend one in-person class each month, and complete online modules in between sessions. They receive a business book at each session, and a refurbished laptop after completing the program. Patrons are also paired with a mentor who has experience in their field, all of whom are volunteers. The program is funded by Google and Gwinnett's Library Foundation. 

In between the presentation, I had the opportunity to visit booths from GLA and GPLS. GLA discussed their programming interest group, while GPLS showed off a 3D laser printer. At the end of the day, we had the opportunity to ask the group questions and share tips. My favorite suggestion was to make a Gmail template for reaching out to program presenters!