The AAA Method of Program Development outlines a framework for creating library programs using Assets, Audience, and Angle. For each program idea, the method involves identifying the Assets (resources, personnel), Audience, and Angle (selling point). Two example programs from NYIT are described: Special Delivery, which uses database alert features and targets faculty/staff, and an MBTI workshop collaboration with Career Services that leverages certified practitioners. The method is intended to be applicable for developing programs in all types of libraries by focusing on these key elements.

1. THE AAA METHOD
OF PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT
L O N G I S L A N D L I B R A R Y C O N F E R E N C E , 2 0 1 6
D A N I E L L E S . A P F E L B A U M

2. THE ROAD TO
COLLABORATIONW I T H T H E O F F I C E O F C A R E E R S E R V I C E S A T
N Y I T

3. REIMAGINING LIBRARY RESOURCES
http://libguides.nyit.edu/beatthecompetition

4. FALL
2015
Special Delivery: Creating
Email Alerts for the Latest
Research
Ever wish you could get the
latest research sent right to
your inbox? Well, you can! In
this session, you'll learn how
to use the databases to
create alerts for topical
searches and the newest
articles from your favorite
journals.

5. SPRING
2016
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Workshop
Delivered by Liz Sposato, Assistant Director,
Career Services & Danielle Apfelbaum,
Librarian
Building on the work of renowned
psychologist Carl G. Jung, Katherine Briggs
and Isabel Briggs Myers developed the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a
tool for helping individuals recognize their
talents, develop their gifts, and interact
more productively with those of differing
personality types. Since its introduction in
1962, it has become one of the most widely
administered assessments. Join our certified
MBTI practitioners as they guide you
through a self-assessment of your
personality type. We will discuss how an
understanding of the MBTI personality
types can help you identify areas for
personal growth and work more

6. THE AAA METHOD
O F P R O G R A M D E V E L O P M E N T
Assets
Angle
Audience

7. AUDIENCE
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Current Collaborator: Career Services
Corresponding Audience: Faculty & Staff
MBTI
Current Collaborator: Career Services
Corresponding Audience: Faculty & Staff
Are you building a program for a current
collaborator or brainstorming a pitch for
one you would like to attract?

8. ASSETS
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Current Collaborator: Career Services
Corresponding Audience: Faculty & Staff
Collections: ProQuest/Ebsco Databases, Alert
Feature
MBTI
Current Collaborator: Career Services
Corresponding Audience: Faculty & Staff
Personnel: Liz & Danielle, MBTI Certified
Around which will you build your program:
budget, personnel, or library resources?
Collection, talent, and audience audits can
help!

9. ANGLE
https://www.acompli.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/QuidProQuoClarice.png

10. ANGLE
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Current Collaborator: Career Services
Corresponding Audience: Faculty & Staff
Collections: ProQuest/Ebsco Databases,
Alert Feature
Selling Point: You have to keep current;
save time & have all the info you need
delivered to your inbox.
MBTI
Current Collaborator: Career Services
Corresponding Audience: Faculty & Staff
Personnel: Liz & Danielle, MBTI Certified
Selling Point: “Hell is other people” – Sartre.
A better understanding of one’s colleagues
based on personality preferences can help
improve our experience of the workplace.
What are you, your collaborators, and their
corresponding audiences going to get out the
program?

11. THE AAA
METHOD CAN
BE USED
IN ALL
TYPES OF
LIBRARIES
Want to show off your newest database? You’re set as
far as assets go. Now, you need to figure out who it
can benefit (audience), and how you’re going to
communicate those benefits (angle).
Want to do something new for your regulars? You’ve
got your audience, now you need to figure out your
programming content (assets) and how you’re going
to persuade your audience to participate (angle).
Want to capitalize the excitement and enthusiasm
generated by a new movie release, holiday, etc.? Your
angle is set, but now you’ll need to identify your
audience and the resources (assets) around which to
build your program.

12. PARTING THOUGHTS…
•Know thy collections & talents.
•Don’t wait for a collaboration to happen. Make
it happen.
•Don’t just express an interest in collaborating,
pitch a program.
•Get on the same page as your collaborator.
•Don’t get discouraged. It’s a lot of work, but
it’s worth it in the end.

13. QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?
Web: http://dsapfelbaum.weebly.com/
Email: dsapfelbaum@gmail.com
Twitter: @TheInfoSherpa