Adult Services
For Library Staff Serving Adults
North Carolina Adult Programming Environmental Scan Reports
Results and analysis of the state-wide environmental scan of adult programming in North Carolina public libraries, conducted fiscal year 2019-2020.
Other News and Information
American Library Association Voter Engagement Guide
ALA’s guide provides strategies and examples of how libraries can meet the information needs about voting for their community members, such as voter registration information, candidate forums, and being a polling place.
Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities
This study of eight public libraries describes their efforts in dealing with the opioid crisis and how partnerships and funding were used to deal with the crisis.
Nothing Passive About It: Self-Directed Programming
This article in Library Journal describes the level of thought and planning that go into what are commonly called “passive programs,” and how engaged library patrons are with this type of programming.
The American Library Association gathered information from public librarians and partner organizations and provides examples of how public libraries can expand their programs and services to new Americans.
National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA)
This two year study looked at characteristics, audiences, outcomes and value of library programming, as well as determining nine competencies required to succeed in the library programming.
Library-Adult Services Listserv
This listserv is for NC library staff that provide services and programs for adults; subscription required.
Collaborative Summer Learning Program
This nationwide collaborative provides thematic programming material for children, teens, and adults for the annual summer learning efforts in public libraries.
North Carolina Center for the Book
The Center for the Book is a program of the North Carolina Humanities Council and offers humanities based programming and grants for libraries.
This site is the Public Library Association’s collection of resources about programming in public libraries for adults and seniors, as well as low cost programming.
The American Library Association’s Public Programs Office provides this website where those interested in library programming can share ideas and browse through program models submitted by library staff.
Three librarians provide short articles about easy to implement book displays, marketing ideas, etc.
This is a list of the top ten books published each month that librarians across the country love, along with reviews from the librarians.
This site is the Public Library Association’s collection of resources about reader’s advisory service in public libraries, particularly genre fiction and book clubs.
Beck Spratford is a reader’s advisory librarian and trainer from Illinois who writes numerous articles about providing reader’s advisory service to teen and adult library patrons.
Adult Basic Literacy
Literacy for All: Adult Literacy through Libraries
ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services toolkit will help you add, expand, and advocate for adult literacy services and offer suggestions to help you reach and serve new and non-readers and establish the library as an essential literacy partner in your community.
ProLiteracy is the largest adult literacy and basic education membership organization in the nation and through a partnership with ALA offers the free online course, Adult Literacy through Libraries (ALL): an Action Agenda Online Course, on ProLiteracy Education Network.
Digital Literacy
Resources for Library Staff, Digital Navigators, and Digital Inclusion Practitioners.
Financial Literacy
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Resources for Libraries
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides free publications, online tools, and training opportunities to help libraries provide financial education to their communities.
This site is sponsored by ALA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and provides model programs, resources, and training opportunities about managing personal finances.
Health Literacy
The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) describes the importance of health literacy and the role that libraries play in providing consumer health informtion to their communities.
Health Literacy Toolkit (free registration required)
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) and ALA’s Libraries Transform campaign have partnered to create a free toolkit for raising awareness of how libraries support health literacy in their communities, including downloadable graphics to use online and in print.
NC Health Info is a service of the Health Sciences Library at the UNC-Chapel Hill and is maintained by volunteer librarians statewide; this consumer guide covers health topics and provider services.
Healthy Living resources and newsletter to help public libraries discover new program ideas, share success stories, and inspire community partnerships. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter.
Immigrants/New Americans
The American Library Association gathered information from public librarians and partner organizations and provides examples of how public libraries can expand their programs and services to new Americans.
US Citizenship & Immigration Services: Libraries
The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, provide citizenship and educational materials to libraries.
LGBTQIA+
The Rainbow Round Table (RRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is committed to serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, asexual, and ally (LGBTQIA+) professional communities and population at large.
Is Your Library Doing Enough for LGBTQ Patrons?
This article from EBSCO provides ideas to make your library more welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ people in your community.