Library Programming Resources

Programs for Adults

California Civil Liberties Program

Model projects to guide civil liberties educational discussions and learning. State-funded

California Library Literacy Services

Resources to help public libraries deliver adult and family literacy programs. State and LSTA-funded

Career Online High School

Scholarships for patrons to earn an accredited high school diploma through their public library. State-funded

Ready Access: Reentry Services for Decarcerated Populations

Resources to help libraries support prisoners who have been released from incarceration and return to the community. Created by public library staff who participated in the 2020-21 State Library Leadership Challenge. LSTA-funded

Veterans Connect: Resources for Serving Veterans

Resources for library staff and volunteers to improve services to veterans and their families.

Working Scholars

A pilot program helping public library staff obtain a bachelor’s degree. LSTA-funded

Programs for Children and Youth

Día de los niños/Día de los libros

Día is a celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. This page is to help California public libraries plan and support Día celebrations and children and family literacy programs. LSTA-funded

Early Learning Hub Toolkit

Co-designed with project teams from the Stronger Together program, the Early Learning Hub toolkit contains information to help California libraries develop thriving early learning hubs that provide families with access to high-quality early learning and community resources. State-funded

Early Learning with Families

Resources to help libraries support the educational and socioemotional needs of young children, their families, and caregivers in their community. LSTA-funded

First Partner’s Book Club

Recordings of virtual storytimes with California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom featuring books that highlight key values like diversity, self-love and acceptance.

K-12 Online Resources

The CA Online Media Program for Access and Student Success (COMPASS) provides dozens of online school-library resources across multiple subject areas, available via schools and local libraries. State-funded

Lunch at the Library

Resources to help public libraries provide children and teens with free meals and learning and enrichment programs during the summer. State-funded

Stay and Play

Stay & Play is a program specifically designed to serve and support the needs of informal child care providers, often referred to as Family, Friend, and Neighbor or FFNs. Funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Programs for All Ages

Makerspaces in California Public Libraries (PDF)

The 2024 “Makerspaces and Making in California Public Libraries: Fostering Community Creativity” explores the diverse range of makerspace offerings, goals, and practices in California public libraries. It highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing and sustaining maker programs, particularly in terms of community engagement, staffing, funding, and equity. LSTA-funded

Outcomes: Measuring Impact

Resources to help libraries to demonstrate impact by measuring the effect of programming on participants’ attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, etc.

Programming Ideas from California Public Libraries

Examples of successful LSTA-funded programs created by libraries in response to community needs.

Tribal Libraries

Resources for California tribal library staff.