Is it possible to both cut costs and improve public library programming for all ages? Yes, it is; this book demonstrates how. In their roles as community centers, public libraries offer many innovative and appealing programs; but under current budget cuts, library resources are stretched thin. With slashed budgets and limited staff hours, what can libraries do to best serve their publics? This how-to guide provides strategies for streamlining library programming in public libraries while simultaneously maintaining—or even improving—quality delivery. The wide variety of principles and techniques described can be applied on a selective basis to libraries of all sizes. Based upon the author's own extensive experience as well as that of colleagues in other library systems, this book provides readers with a practical, step-by-step approach to maximizing resources and minimizing costs of programming without sacrificing quality, as well as insider tips and examples from the field that will help them to avoid known pitfalls.

Despite technological advances, many basic library activities still lend themselves to analysis and improvement. Richard M. Dougherty provides numerous examples and easy-to-apply tools and techniques to assess what libraries are doing, how they are doing it, and how much time is required to do it. These tools include block diagrams, check sheets, flow process charts, work-flow diagrams, flow charts, through-put analysis, self-administered diary studies, and work sampling. Specific examples from all areas of library operations are presented. Streamling Library Services provides detailed information on how to diagnose problem areas with such tools as Pareto and fishbone charts; use brainstorming; organize a work-flow study; and build and present cost studies. Special emphasis is placed on activities that should occur after the analysis is concluded, including data analysis, reporting study results, and making recommendations to management. Guidelines are provided for managers and staff as they strive to streamline activities. Topics include implementation issues and strategies that must be addressed as new workflows and services are introduced and organizational change issues and strategies for building staff support toward change. Book jacket.

This book provides in-depth practical advice and examples of public and academic library programming activities. Included in this volume are methods for identifying target audiences, activities and ways to find and generate even more ideas, tools for assessment and budgeting, and tips on planning programs from inception to execution.

This book addresses all aspects of the programming process, from idea to execution, from crafts and entertainment to film, arts and science. Included are sources of funding, contracts and agreements, programming to meet the library's mission, and program evaluation.

An all-in-one guide that outlines tested results driven planning process.

Programming is an important means of not only drawing new people to the library but also better serving existing patrons. Lear’s invaluable guide to adult programs is back—and better than ever, with refreshed, expanded content and new ideas to reinvigorate programs and give them a 21st-century spin. This edition includes Updated chapters on basics such as funding, crafting guidelines, topic selection, publicity, post-program evaluations, and more A new section on technology, with ideas for online book discussions, offering programs via Skype, and turning programs into podcasts Methods for tailoring programs for specific groups, such as men, baby boomers, and seniors A collection of "five-star" programs from libraries around the country that can be easily adapted Walking the reader through every aspect of adult programming, this new edition of a tried-and-true book is truly a librarian’s best friend.

A rigorous and practical framework for modeling business systems Pares object modeling down to its core concepts, making it easier than ever. Twelve object collaboration patterns that address virtually any business scenario Powerful techniques–not fancy notation! Streamlined Object Modeling presents the first rigorous, practical framework for object modeling complex business domains, rules, and systems. Three world-renowned leaders in object development have pared object modeling down to the core concepts for all business domains, business rules, and business services. Starting from the first principles of "object think," the authors offer a fully integrated approach to building, validating, and critiquing object models. Coverage includes: Proven principles and techniques for successfully modeling the structure and operations of any business domain. Guidelines for finding and associating objects, assembling object models, and distributing system behavior among objects. Rigorous methods for discovering, organizing, and implementing business rules around objects. Twelve all-encompassing "collaboration patterns"–what they represent, how they relate, and how to apply them. Five kinds of business rules, three types of services, and six categories of properties completely specify object-oriented business requirements From start to finish, the book makes extensive use of examples drawn from real commercial applications. To illustrate how streamlined object modeling flows from analysis to code, it also presents a complete case study derived from a real-world application, and implemented in two leading object-oriented languages-Java, and the Squeak implementation of Smalltalk.