Summer, Sunshine, and Stories are for Adults Too!

What is Sunshine & Stories?

Sunshine & Stories is a Colorado State Library podcast dedicated to all things summer in public libraries. During our 2024-25 season, keep an eye out for new episodes twice a month from August to May. We’ll explore topics like performers, incentives, outreach, volunteers, capturing impact, and many more ideas related to designing a summer public library program for your whole community (adults included!). Featuring interviews with other Colorado State Library staff and ideas from Colorado library professionals around the state, this podcast aims to provide valuable insight and spark creative ideas in your public library’s own 2025 summer planning. Whether you’re a veteran in the summer library program planning world, a newbie looking to start a summer program for the first time, or someone who’s considering changing up your program a little or a lot this year, we hope this podcast will be a valuable resource for you. Sunshine & Stories is available on most major podcast apps.

Ep. 110 Summer is for Adults Too

Episode Summary:

The Kates are drawing on not only their professional experience in this episode, but also on their lived experiences as…. adults who utilize their local libraries! Whether you’re already offering a summer program for the adults in your community or looking for ideas to help you launch one, take a listen for a few ideas and hopefully a bit of inspiration. Remember, summer at the library is absolutely for adults too! (Full transcript available here.)

If you give us a listen, please let us know what you think by completing a short feedback survey. Your feedback helps us grow and provides us with important reporting data for our funder.

00:00 – Introduction
01:30 – No really, who are adults?
03:03 – What to think about when planning for adults
05:48 – Ideas for structured vs. open programs
12:15 – Interactive displays and self-directed programs
15:08 – Taking your programs out of the library
17:32 – Book & resource recommendations
19:55 – Closing

Resources:

Collaborative Summer Library Program
Colorado Youth Services Library Network mailing list
Colorado Creative Industries (OEDIT)
Libnet mailing list for all things library (including adult services)
Colorado Library Public Program Coordinators mailing list for all things programming
CSL Kits – Tools for Library Staff (cvlsites.org)
CSL Book Club Resource
Women Artists of the West CSL Book Club Set (via AspenCat)
Residence on Earth CSL Book Club Set (via AspenCat)
Don’t Point That Thing at Me CSL Book Club Set (via AspenCat)

Hey Adult Services Folks!

If you serve Colorado adults in your community and could use the support of a compassionate colleague who will be your thought partner and your very own adult services reference librarian, make sure you connect with Cristy Moran, the CO State Library’s Adult Services Senior Consultant! You can reach Cristy at either moran_c@cde.state.co.us or 720-926-2159.

Next Drop-in Chat:

Hey Colorado library folks! Join us on January 14, 2025 at 11:00 am to noon Mountain Time for our next online Summer Drop-in Chat. No need to register. Come when you can, stay for as long as you can. See you soon!