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Programming Resources

This section includes links to sites that deal with different types of programming ideas, but mainly book-based programmes. There are other more specific pages relating to certain aspects of public services such as our Children's Services, a general Public Services Resources page, and our Readers' Advisory Services and Youth Literature Resources pages.  For evaluation and research on the effects of programming see Reports of Interests.

Topics include

General Resources | Book and Reading Programmes | Book Clubs |  Storytime Resources | Themes
 

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General Resources 
Book and Reading Programming
  • Book Events Calendar (Library of Congress. Center for the Book). A selection of book fairs, storytelling festivals and other literary events across the U.S.A and around the world. Use this list to get suggestions and ideas for your programming themes.
  • Boys and reading   (Hamilton Public Library)
  • CBC Canada Reads
  • Family Literacy Day ( ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation) is a national charity committed to promoting literacy to the general public and to the private sector.
  • First Nation Community Reads  The First Nation Communities Read program, launched by Ontario’s First Nations public library community in 2003 with the support of the HarperCollins Canada and the Ontario Library Service, enabled Ontario’s First Nations public library community to make its own contribution to the popular community reading movement.
  • First Nations Reading Circle  The purpose of the Reading Circle is to provide programs that reflect the cultural identity and values of aboriginal people and link themes that are common to many cultures.
  • Freedom to Read Kits.  Freedom to Read Week  (Download or order)
  • Harbourfront Reading Series  The Harbourfront Reading Series is one of the most admired public reading programmes in the world.
  • Mind's Eye, The  The first national reader-centred promotion for non-fiction. It uses approaches developed in fiction promotion in libraries which start from the reader and the experience of reading, rather than the author, genre or title.
  • One Book, One Community (The Allegheny County Library Association) An excellent example of programming built around this theme
  • One Book One Community. Planning Your Community Wide Read. (.pdf) Public Programs Office. ALA. 2003
  • One Book, One Vancouver - a book club for the entire city
  • Plot hinge Serials Free library program that promotes active literacy and global awareness through an innovative serial novel concept. Plot Hinge Serials (PHS) presents Murkworld, a serial novel starting February 2006 in libraries across Canada that unfolds as the real world does.
  • Reading America Program. MetLife Reading America Program to foster greater understanding and communication among youth and adults, especially in immigrant families, in response to MetLife Foundation's interest in a book and film discussion program. You can download the Reading America Booklet: tips for developing a program at your library (.pdf, 440KB)
  • Senior Short Story Reading Group Resources  While this guide is not written for library staff is provides an interesting variation on the book club program.
Book Clubs
Storytime Resources
  • Aesop's Fables Online Collection  Aesop's fables, although 2,000 years old, still have the power to charm listeners of all ages. Although the versions of the fables on this site are a bit 19th century in tone, they can easily be rephrased into contemporary English.
  • Directory of Storytellers for Ontario. The StoryTellers' School of Toronto
  • Innovative Programming for Toddlers, Pre-Schoolers and Families - Spotlight on YOU: Storyteller Entertainer, Facilitator, presented by Beth Maddigan for SOLS, October-November 2006.   (to be posted)
  • MoJo's Musical Mouseum - Get Busy! Songs  You will find a wealth of finger plays and clapping/spinning/circle songs arranged alphabetically by title. Once you've made a selection, click "Play Song" to hear the tune (this is very cool, especially if you don't know the song). You can even use it to accompany your performance. Created by: Terry Kluytmans, a mother from Victoria, British Columbia.
  • Pratt's Story and Theme Bag Ideas  Here's a slew of great ideas for "story sacks"-kits that you put together around a book, including related activities, such as games and puppets. Pratt's ideas are arranged by theme: seasons, colors, senses, farms, fairy tales, and much more. Created by: Barbara Pratt, a home school teacher.
  • Preschool Fingerplays, Action Poems, Nursery Rhymes, Songs  Check out this extensive collection of action songs and finger plays arranged by themes-everything from numbers and bugs, to occupations and transportation. Use this site to find a simple activity to match the theme of the book you are reading to kids.
  • Puppetry Home Page  Nothing gets children's attention like skillfully handled puppets, and this site shares a world of information about puppetry in all its forms.  Don't Miss: The "Using Puppetry" link for hints and tips.

  • StoryNet: (National Storytelling Network) Storytelling resources on the internet

  • Tim Sheppard's Storytelling Resources for Storytellers  If you're searching for lots of stories and links to just about every site related to storytelling, this site's for you. Check out the "Story Links" section for an alphabetically arranged list of sites that provide both traditional and original stories.  Don't Miss: The "Books for Storytellers" section, an extensive, up-to-date bibliography of storyteller resources.

Themes

 
 
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