This document provides tips and examples for library and education professionals on creating compelling programming outside of traditional literacy-based activities. It discusses finding your niche based on personal interests, using tools to plan programming, and considering factors like age groups and interests when planning book-based, technology-based, or special interest programs. Examples are given of book clubs, coding clubs, competitions, gaming programs, and author events at both elementary and high school levels. The document emphasizes starting small, collaborating with others, learning from failures, and planning ahead.

1. Finding Your Niche
Creating Compelling
Programming
FAME 2014 Breakout Sessions
Presenters: Meaghan Monaghan and Beverly Coe

2. Why is programming that is not
necessarily library or literacy based
your job?
● build community
● develop multimedia and collaborative
literacy and appreciation
● foster lifelong learners

3. How to find and adapt your niche
to your level
● You have to start somewhere, so start by
looking inward.
● Reflect on what you would like to spend
more of your time on personally.
● Look for the root.

4. How to get started
● Make a To-Do List (see handout)
● Tools for planning (see handout)

5. Book based Programming
Things to consider
● age group
● content
● your interests
● “What’s hot”

6. Elementary Perspective / Book
Club
This is what I did
● Multi-age weekly book and
movie club
● Combine grades - tailor to
book
● Pair popular book and its
children’s movie
● Activity based meetings

7. How I did it/ What I learned
● Choose a book you enjoy!
● Base the meetings on an activity not wholly on a book discussion.
● Encourage parent/grandparent involvement but set boundaries
Lessons learned
● Watch the movie before committing to the book
● Don’t forget procedure, it is still important!
● Have parent information

8. High School Perspective
This is what I did
● After school themed parties for
popular book-to-movie
adaptations: Hunger Games,
Divergent
● Trivia, themed challenges, food,
decorations, book displays, prizes

9. How I did it/ What I learned
● search the web for how-tos
● adapt and re-theme party games
● lessons learned:
○ create activities that occupy
everyone at the same time
○ make a schedule and stick
to it
○ don’t spend a lot of time
elaborately theming food

10. Technology
Things to consider
● choose a well reviewed program
● consider the background and technology
available to your students
● set a goal and scaffold
● keep in mind district guidelines, firewalls,
accessibility

11. Elementary Perspective / Coding
Club
This is what I want to do:
● 3-5 morning coding club
● scratch.mit.edu
● One project a semester
● Tutor style
● Student Paced

12. How I did it/ What I learned
● Use the websites resources
● Start flexible - add and subtract restrictions, support,
pace as needed
● Coordinate heavily with administration
Lessons learned:
● Stay in contact with parents/ keep
communication log
● Be aware of technology limitations
● Explore thoroughly beforehand!

13. High School Perspective
This is what I did
● programming on the go
● book spine poetry
● digital citizenship display
● promoting interaction with authors
and youtubers
● coming soon: social media
workshops

14. How I did it/ What I learned
● Physical displays to promote digital
interactions
● We live in a participatory culture
● Stay plugged in and you’ll be able to plug
your students in

15. Special/ Student Interest
Things to Consider
● Don’t duplicate
● Fill a hole - serve underserved
populations
● Listen to your students! Student interest
groups should be student guided.

16. Elementary Perspective Solar Car Competition
This is what I did
● Entered team in the Junior Solar
Sprint
● Coordinated the efforts of 5
fourth and fifth graders
● Won best design for the
county

17. How I did it/ What I learned
● Watched list servs and county emails
● Matched project with in class curriculum
● Found interested students
● Coordinated materials, requirements, and
event details
● Parent communication is key.
Lessons Learned
● Stepping outside your comfort zone can be very rewarding
● Small group field trips are feasible but come with extra red tape
● Scour your sources for materials before buying anything.

18. High School Perspective
This is what I did
● Tabletop gaming, tea
time
● Coming soon:
NaNoWriMo

19. How I did it/ What I learned
● born out of discussion with students
● creating fellowship around shared interests
● got the word out by flyers and word of mouth
● keep it manageable - time/size constraints - vital for
weekly programs where you’re most likely by yourself

20. Things to Keep in Mind
● You are not an island! Team up with
others.
● Don’t be discouraged by failure. Be
reflective.
● Literacy isn’t your only scope.
● Plan ahead!