Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: Programming Librarian
ISSN: N/A
Website: http://programminglibrarian.org
Purpose, objective, or mission: Programming Librarian is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office. Its mission is to “provide the resources, connections, and opportunities libraries need to fill their role as centers of cultural and civic life. ProgrammingLibrarian.org is a place for library professionals to share, learn, and be inspired to present excellent programming for their communities. Through resources, ideas, and professional development opportunities, [it] seeks to help libraries fill their role as cultural and civic hubs in their communities.”1
Target audience: Programming Librarians. “Though the job title can vary, a programming librarian is charged with any element of planning and presenting cultural and community programs on behalf of the library. Programming librarians can be found in public, academic, special and school libraries, from the largest urban communities to the smallest rural communities, and everywhere in between. Usually, programming librarian is one of many hats that a librarian wears, which makes up-to-date resources like this site even more important.”2
Publisher: American Library Association Public Programs Office.3
Peer reviewed? No.
Type: LIS professional news.
Medium: Online.
Content: Programming ideas, resources, and professional development opportunities.4
Frequency of publication: New content is continually posted.
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: http://www.programminglibrarian.org/about/write-us
Types of contributions accepted: Programming Librarian is always looking for new voices, story ideas and program model suggestions.5
Submission and review process: Contributors should complete a webform that describes their library program details (advance planning, budget, activities, evaluation, advice), and include any related materials (reading lists, images). Submissions chosen for publication will be publicly available on ProgrammingLibrarian.org.6
Editorial tone: Informational.
Style guide used: No particular style guide is specified.
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
Programming Librarian presents an opportunity for LIS authors to contribute their expertise so that other professionals may build upon their work. The site aims to be a database of program ideas for libraries, and program models are presented in a standardized format. 7
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: Programming Librarian serves as an online resource center for the Programming Librarian Interest Group (PLIG), a Member Initiative Group of the ALA.8 PLIG membership is open to all ALA members. The PLIG Facebook group has approximately 16,917 members (2020).9
Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The site features programs held at libraries related to ALA.
Reader characteristics: While job titles can vary, a programming librarian is “charged with any element of planning and presenting cultural and community programs on behalf of the library,” and programming is often one of many hats that a librarian wears. Programming occurs in diverse settings, public and private, and librarians are invested in fulfilling cultural and civic roles through programming.10
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are generally professional librarians interested in practical ideas and strategies for developing programs, so a fairly strong knowledge of LIS knowledge can be expected.
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
The Programming Librarian readership seeks ways to learn from fellow libraries, browse ideas, and explore learning opportunities. This is a good place for LIS authors to write about programs in their professional settings.11
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