This document provides over 90 ideas for adult programming that can be completed in 90 minutes or less. The ideas are organized by month and cover a wide range of topics including crafts, demonstrations, contests, history, health and fitness, cooking, and more. Many of the programs can be adapted to different themes. The purpose is to give libraries numerous options for engaging local adults with fun, educational, and community-building events and activities.

1. 36 AdultProgramIdeas in90 Minutes
AmyAlessio amyalessio@sbcglobal.net
ProgramsEasilyAdaptedforAnyTheme (Almost!)
 WritingContests:flash,themed,poetry,skit,songlyrics(Prize ispublication.)
 Tasters:inexpensive foodsonatheme like chocolate,history,demonstrations
 Crafts:buttonmaking,origami,coloring,photosandframes,bookmarks
 Local history:feature speakers,librarycollections,photos
 Social Mediaand RelevantApps/Sites
 Charitable Drives:foodforfines,petfood,costumes,promgowns
 Photoor Videocontests:inthe libraryorcommunity,reading,promotingaservice,book
trailers,familyhistory
 Art: fairs,themedcontest,scrapbooking,digital,trynew mediumfair,feature local artistsor
museums
 Music: local performers,all ages,learntodownloadfromlibrarysite,listenonnew tech,variety
shows,karaoke
 Money& Health:local services,libraryresources,informationfairs,improvementtechniques
FitnessFair
 IndoorExercises&Stretching
 Pedometers:StepItUp LibraryScavengerHunt
 DemonstrationsfromParkDistrict:20 minute intervals
 Healthrepresentative takingbiometrics
 Smoothie Making
 De-StressMeditation
 Massage Station
 Demonstrationof fitnessapps
Chinese NewYear
 Videoof DragonDance
 Music
 FeltFortune CookiesorPaper
 Zodiacchart tocolor
 RedEnvelope Craft:
http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/World/chineseredenvelope/chineseredenvelope.ht
ml
 Fortune type slipsincookiesoronbookmarksstuckinbooksadvertisingthe program.
 Language learningmaterials
 Cookingdemonstrations

2. Superbowl:Snacks by Decades
 1930s/40s: Velveeta,brownies
 1950’s: Mini BurgerBar, Chex Mix
 1960’s: Bugles,Pringles,Mini frankkabobs
 1970’s: fondue,cheeseballs,Grape jelly/chilidip
 1980’s: Cream Cheese/pepperjelly
 1990’s: cupcakes
February: Black History Month
Genealogyprograms
Drummingcircles
UndergroundRailroadsites
Historical speaker–invite audiencetowearcostumes
Musicians – Jazz festival
Displayof Inventions
Vote onfavorite authorsbygenre
NMAH podcasts:https://historyexplorer.si.edu/teacher-resources
Passionate Readers & Viewers!
 Mood music
 Raffledcandles,chocolate,books
 Tastedbitsof chocolatesfromdrugstores,voted
 Servedbubblinggrape juice
 Variedrange of material inbooks,music,movies
Movie party and trivia
 Gourmetpopcorn
 AfterHoursOscar NightParty
 Short Movie Festival
March: Rosie Plusthe Role ofWomenin WWII
SelfDefense andSafety
 Police Department
 Scams towardsseniors
 Making yourhouse safe
 SafetyOnline

3.  Self Defense
 Special classforseniors
 In lobby,orclass
Basketball Fest
 Nostalgicmovies
 Videogame tournamentforadultsof NBA2K19
 Triviagames
o Match playertotown
o Mascots
o Game trivia
o Make dreamteamfor prize drawings
April: National Library Week
 Swapsand OtherSimple Celebrations
 InfoFair by departments
 Departmentsmake somethingtoauction
 Tours: Live or Virtual
 FleaMarket andCraft Fair
 ComicSwap
 Authorswithpublishingworkshop
 Learn SomethingNew –punchcards forwatchingvideos
 T/F: LibraryCommonSense
MoneySmart
 ResourcesDemonstration
 BudgetingandInvestmentApps
 Tip Board
 Teenor NextGenBudgetContest
 CouponApps
Library Virtual 5K (and other HealthyGadgets)
 Staff posthow muchtheywalkon deskthroughoutthe week
 Patronspost photoof themselveswalkinginthe libraryorthroughoutthe monthfora prize
 Walka 5K and screenshotMap My Walk or otherevidence.Enterwith$10 towardsFriends,
inexpensive medals
 Live walking5Karoundlibrary.
 Stepsscavengerhuntor Geocachingwithinlibrary
May: Star Wars Day

4.  Movies& Coloring
 Costume cosplayforadults
 Triviaor Timeline
 Books
 Parodymovie contest
 Fan fictioncontest
 Origami
 Yoda Soda
 Rebel Legion
 https://theoutreachlibrarian.com/2012/04/04/may-the-fourth-be-with-you/
Easy AdultChildCrafts (time to cleanout the closet)
 Recipe Scrapbooking
 Paintand BookCoverNight(holdthe wine forstaff)
 ApronDecoration
 Painting/coloring:photoframes,tote bags,t-shirts,notebookcovers
 Tye Dye socks
 Beadedbookmarks
 Bookmarkdesigncontest
 Cards forcharity,gifts
 3D printedkeychains
Worldof Flavors
 Tastingand Exchange
 Restaurantswithtasting(registration)
 Get treatsfromlocal stores – evencookies!
 Patronsbringcopiesof recipes
 Historyof areawithsamplesof foods,recipes
 Holidaythemed
June: Engaging Adultswith Summer ReadingIdeas
 Reada Latte all year round
 Readingchallenges –no registration!
 Allowprogramstocount
 Drawingsperbookread
 Prize isbookor fine clearingcoupons
 Sendphotoswearinglibraryshirt
 How manyitemsinlibrarytote?
HiddenLocal Gems:One Day Trips to Remember

5.  Withfoods
 Speakersfromhistorical sites
 Bus trips
 Virtual tour– picture,cost,website info.
 Askfor couponsfromsites
Car Show+ Safety
 Hookingmediaup
 Emergencykits
 Shoppingthroughlibrary sites
 What to lookforin usedcars
 Vintage car show
Bike Safety
 Bike repairworkshop
 SafetyTown
 Local Bike Trails – presentation
 ID
July: Treats & Beats by the Decade
Library CountyFair
 Growingcompetitions
 Oldestitems
 Collections
 Bookwreaths
 Quilts& Pies?
 Discussionof craftcompetitions
 Talk onlocal farmersmarkets
Book Olympics FamilyEvent
 Puttingbooksor DVDsinorder
 Scavengerhunts
 Relaysat yourowndiscretion
 Mini golf
 Setup a themeddisplay
 Synchronizedcartmovement
August MysteryNight
 Crimescene asdisplayorone-time program(PaperTownsprogram)

6.  Mysteryflavors
 Classiccrime TV & movies
 T/F Townordinance lawsvs.historical
 Improvmysterysolving
 CSI frompolice
SpellingBee + Puzzle Competitions
 Audience sendsinwordsunder limits,themes
 Small prizes
 Puzzle speed
 Puzzle stations
 PuzzlingDevices –ipadcourse,apps
 Create own
Local learningfair
 Libraryclassesfor adults
 ESL
 ContinuingEd.Representativesfromcolleges,highschools
 Online LearningOptions –throughlibrary?
 Park District
 Museums
 Colleges:auditinglectures
September:Fall Into SomethingNew
 Style andFashions:scarves,jewelrymaking,hairstyles
 Sushi demonstration,orotherno-cookhealthychoices
 Resume Refresh,SocialMediareview
 Travel tips:local favorites,upcomingmuseumexhibits
 Newandreadalikesforpopularbooks&media
 DownloadandGo: technologydemonstrations
 House Refresh:speakersonpaintingtips,woodworking
 Park District:newsportsclasses
Library Card Sign-UpMonth
 Use card at local businesses
 Drawingfor gettingorrenewingcard
 Swipe cardfor drawing – virtual or live
 Clearfineswithvisiblecard
 Drawingsforentire householdswithcards

7.  Usingyour card from home scavengerhunt
 Flashfictionlibrarythemedcontest
 Showcard around communityphotos
Hispanic Heritage Month 9/15 – 10/15
 Map yourheritage
 Match phototo country
 Match foodphototo country
 Ojode Diosfamilycraft
 Corn HuskSpice Painting (HarrisCty. Tx.Lib.)
 Language learningmaterials
 https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.org/
October: Mindfulness,Yogaand Smoothies
 Speakersformindfulness,laughter,relaxation
 Massage techniques
 Yoga instructorsforsimple workshop
 Office fitness
 SmoothiesorYogurtparfaitsamplers(DIY)
 Teas
 Making tabletopzengardens,zen terrariums
NostalgicHalloweenParty and Blood Drive
 Vintage horrormovie or80’s monsters:Freddie,Chucky,Jason
 Halloweencartoons
 Duct tape or tolietpapercostumes –mini contests
 Finishthe scarystory contestor flashscaryfiction 1000 words
 Storytelling101 – outside
 Dirt cup parfaits
 Decorate cookies
Diwali
 Ethnicmarkets – décorand food
 Local musicor dance programs
 Hennapainting
 How to drape a sari,weddingstyles
 Decorate a Diya – prepare withbase coat
 http://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-a-Diya
 http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs/diwali
 Rangoli Art:https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/rangoli-craft-idea-for-kids/

8. November:VeteransThank You OpenHouse
 Create a Card Party
 Online PhotoMontage
 CollectPhotos,Memorabilia
 VeteransBenefits,Spouses
 Recordsof What UnitsfromArea Were inEach Major ConflictIncludingCivilWar
NaNoWriMo
 Steps forSuccess – GettingStarted,or FinishThatBook
 Demonstrationsof howtologininlobby
 Write-Ins–allowtime afterwritingprograms
 CelebrationeventinJanuary –nextsteps?
 Interactive displayof local wordcounts
 Tweetingauthorquotes
 Displayof booksonwriting,biographies
November:Knittingfor Charity
 Have thisprogram in visibleareatoinvite more
 Host throughoutthe month
 Staff or guestteacherssimple stitches.
 CollectsquaresforWarm Up America
 Betterstudentswill make smallblanketsforanimal shelters
 Drop ineventtoknot polarfleece blanketsforlocal shelters
December:Make and Take
 Fill glassballswithglitter,garland,shreddedpaper
 Printphotos,decorate frames
 Paper:https://www.diyncrafts.com/9606/decor/20-hopelessly-adorable-diy-christmas-
ornaments-made-paper
Night Star Gazing
 Telescope atcertainplace,certaintimes
 Partnershipwithcollege,expert
 Patrons record whocan see what
 Gettingstartedinstargazing
 Astrology101: What’sinstore for you nextyear?

9. Holiday Library Open House:Virtual and Live
 MarketingfeaturesInvitationtospecial event
 Music, local highschool groups
 Sethours: Free,fastandfunfor all ages
 Demonstrationsof timesavingtipsoractivitiesineachdepartment
 Peaceful place tositandread if desired
 Local foodvendor
 Virtual:virtual tour,resourcesforeasingyearendstress,holidaytraditional stories