36 Adult Program Ideas in 90 Minutes: Outline (September 2017)

1. 36 AdultProgramIdeas
in90 Minutes
AmyAlessio www.amyalessio.com amyalessio@sbcglobal.net
ProgramsEasilyAdaptedforAnyTheme (Almost!)
 WritingContests:flash,themed,poetry,skit,songlyrics(Prize is publication.)
 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
 Interactive Wii Games
 Pedometers:StepItUp LibraryScavengerHunt
 DemonstrationsfromParkDistrict:20 minute intervals
 Healthrepresentative takingbiometrics
 Smoothie Making
 De-StressMeditation
 Massage Station
 Demonstrationof fitnessapps
Chinese New Year
 Videoof DragonDance
 Music, cookies
 http://www.minimalisti.com/decoration/new-year/12/chinese-new-year-crafts-for-kids.html
 Zodiacchart tocolor
 RedEnvelope Craft:
http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/World/chineseredenvelope/chineseredenvelope.ht
ml
 Fortune type slipsincookiesoronbookmarksstuckinbooksadvertisingthe program.
 Language learningmaterials

2. Superbowl:SnacksbyDecades
 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:BlackHistoryMonth
Genealogyprograms
UndergroundRailroadsites
Historical speaker–invite audiencetowearcostumes
Musicians
Displayof Inventions
Vote onfavorite authorsbygenre
Passionate Readers&Viewers!
 Mood music
 Raffledcandles,chocolate,books
 Tastedbitsof chocolatesfromdrugstores,voted
 Servedbubblinggrape juice
 Variedrange of material inbooks,music,movies
Movie party andtrivia
 March: Rosie Plusthe Role of WomeninWWII
 Self DefenseandSafety
 Police Department
 Scams towardsseniors
 Making yourhouse safe
 SafetyOnline
 Self Defense
 Special classforseniors
 In lobby,orclass

3. Basketball Fest
 Nostalgicmovies
 Videogame tournamentforadultsof NBA2K16
 Triviagames
 Match playertotown
 Mascots
 Game trivia
 Make dreamteamfor prize drawings
April:National LibraryWeek
 Swapsand OtherSimple Celebrations
 InfoFair by departments
 Departmentsmake somethingtoauction
 Tours: Live or Virtual
 FleaMarket andCraft Fair
 ComicSwap
 Authorswithpublishingworkshop
 Learn SomethingNew –punchcards forwatchingvideos
 T/F: LibraryCommon Sense
LibraryVirtual 5K (andotherHealthyGadgets)
 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
 Movies& Coloring
 Costume cosplayforadults
 Triviaor Timeline
 Books
 Parodymovie contest
 Fan fictioncontest
 Origami
 Yoda Soda
 Rebel Legion

4.  https://theoutreachlibrarian.com/2012/04/04/may-the-fourth-be-with-you/
Easy AdultChildCrafts (time tocleanoutthe closet)
 Recipe Scrapbooking
 Paintand BookCoverNight(holdthe wine forstaff)
 Apron Decoration
 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: EngagingAdultswithSummerReadingIdeas
 Reada Latte all year round
 Readingchallenges –no registration!
 Allowprogramstocount
 Drawingsperbookread
 Prize isbookor fine clearingcoupons
 Sendphotoswearinglibraryshirt
 How manyitemsinlibrarytote?
HiddenLocal Gems:One Day Trips to Remember
 Withfoods
 Speakersfromhistorical sites
 Bus trips
 Virtual tour– picture,cost,website info.
 Askfor couponsfromsites
Car Show+ Safety

5.  Hookingmediaup
 Emergencykits
 Shoppingthroughlibrarysites
 What to lookforin usedcars
 Vintage car show
Bike Safety
 Bike repairworkshop
 SafetyTown
 Local Bike Trails- presentation
July:Treats& Beatsbythe Decade
LibraryCountyFair
 Growingcompetitions
 Oldestitems
 Collections
 Bookwreaths
 Quilts& Pies?
 Discussionof craftcompetitions
 Talk onlocal farmersmarkets
BookOlympicsFamilyEvent
 Puttingbooks or DVDsinorder
 Scavengerhunts
 Relaysat yourowndiscretion
 Mini golf
 Setup a themeddisplay
 Synchronizedcartmovement
AugustMysteryNight
 Crimescene asdisplayorone-time program(PaperTownsprogram)
 Mysteryflavors
 Classiccrime TV & movies
 T/F Townordinance lawsvs.historical
 Improvmysterysolving
 CSI frompolice
SpellingBee +Puzzle Competitions
 Audience sendsinwordsunderlimits,themes

6.  Small prizes
 Puzzle speed
 Puzzle stations
 Create own
Local learningfair
 Libraryclassesfor adults
 ESL
 ContinuingEd.Representativesfromcolleges,highschools
 Online LearningOptions –throughlibrary?
 Park District
 Museums
 Colleges:auditinglectures
September:Fall IntoSomethingNew
 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
LibraryCard Sign-UpMonth
 Use card at local businesses
 Drawingfor gettingorrenewingcard
 Swipe cardfor drawing – virtual or live
 Clearfineswithvisiblecard
 Drawingsforentire householdswithcards
 Usingyour card from home scavengerhunt
 Flashfictionlibrarythemedcontest
 Showcard around communityphotos
HispanicHeritage Month
 Map yourheritage
 Match phototo country
 Match foodphototo country

7.  Ojode Diosfamilycraft
 Corn HuskSpice Painting (HarrisCty. Tx.Lib.)
 Language learningmaterials
 http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.org/Home_Page.html
October:Mindfulness,YogaandSmoothies
 Speakersformindfulness,laughter,relaxation
 Massage techniques
 Yoga instructorsforsimple workshop
 Office fitness
 SmoothiesorYogurtparfaitsamplers(DIY)
 Teas
 Making tabletopzengardens,zenterrariums
NostalgicHalloweenPartyandBloodDrive
 Vintage horrormovie or80’s monsters:Freddie,Chucky,Jason
 Halloweencartoons
 Duct tape or toiletpapercostumes –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
 Decorate a Diya – prepare withbase coat
 http://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-a-Diya
 http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs/diwali
November:VeteransThankYouOpenHouse
 Create a Card Party
 Online PhotoMontage
 CollectPhotos,Memorabilia
 Veterans Benefits,Spouses
 Recordsof What UnitsfromArea Were inEach Major ConflictIncludingCivilWar

8. NaNoWriMo
 StepsforSuccess – GettingStarted
 Demonstrationsof howtologininlobby
 Write-Ins–allowtime afterwritingprograms
 CelebrationeventinJanuary–nextsteps?
 Interactive displayof local wordcounts
 Tweetingauthorquotes
 Displayof booksonwriting,biographies
November:KnittingforCharity
 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:
 http://www.smallhomelove.com/fun-easy-paper-ornaments-2/
NightStar Gazing
 Telescope atcertainplace,certaintimes
 Partnershipwithcollege,expert
 Patronsrecord whocan see what
 Gettingstartedinstargazing
 Astrology101: What’sinstore for you nextyear?
 HolidayLibraryOpenHouse:
Virtual andLive
 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