Ms. Adrienne's Youth Services Playbook

24/05/2026

📣 Library job posting!

23/05/2026

Good morning, Saturday librarians! Summer Reading season is here… which means youth librarians everywhere are currently running on caffeine, hot glue gun blisters, and pure determination.💀

“If you could give ONE piece of advice to a brand new youth librarian, what would it be?”

“You will plan programs for 200 and 5 will come. You will plan a program for 5 and 200 will come.”
“Sometimes good enough is good enough.”
“Find and keep your joy.”
“Kids are very forgiving.”
“Don’t. Use. Glitter.”

This post became something much bigger than advice. It became a reminder that even during the hardest seasons of this work, we are not doing it alone.

If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, doubting yourself, or just trying to survive summer reading one program at a time — this one’s for you!

Uncover inspiring messages for youth librarians to stay motivated, share humor, and remember why their work makes a difference.

23/05/2026

📣 Library job posting!

We are hiring! 📚 As a Library Associate I at our Mount Airy location, you will assist adult, teen, and juvenile customers with a variety of informational and programming services in the adult department and help to maintain areas of our collection.

Learn more and apply at library.carr.org/employment

23/05/2026

📣 Library job posting!

Are you or someone you know looking for a new job? We’re hiring for:
- Marketing and Outreach Assistant
- Branch Manager
- Facilities Manager
Apply for a rewarding career at JCPL here: https://ow.ly/eREi50Z3kwk

22/05/2026

📢 If you've been feeling the squeeze since Baker & Taylor shut down, you're not alone.

ARSL Executive Director Kate Laughlin and ARSL West Regional Representative Kip Roberson spoke with NPR this week about the real impact on libraries — longer delivery times, short-filled orders, and the added burden on staff who are already doing more with less.

We see the challenges our rural & small libraries are facing, and we're working to make sure your stories are heard at the national level.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/21/nx-s1-5807947/public-libraries-struggle-to-get-new-books-on-shelves-after-distributor-shuts-down

22/05/2026

📣 Library job posting!

📣 NOW HIRING: Circulation team members

- Circulation Services Coordinator (full-time)
- Circulation Clerk (part-time)

We are seeking qualified candidates to fill two positions in our circulation team. You can view full job descriptions and apply now by visiting https://www.trussvillelibrary.com/emp-11622/location/trussville

22/05/2026

Wacky Water Day was ALWAYS one of the most anticipated summer library programs in our community — and for good reason.

It was low-cost, easy to run, reusable year after year, and packed with everything kids love:

✔️ Sprinklers
✔️ Water games
✔️ Giant bubbles
✔️ Sponge water bombs
✔️ Music & freeze pops
✔️ Family fun for ALL ages

This post breaks down everything we used, setup tips, reusable supply ideas, and why this simple program consistently brought huge attendance and community excitement.

If you’re planning summer programming and need something affordable, memorable, and EASY to pull off, this one’s for you.

Read the full post on Youth Services Playbook and follow along for more practical library programming ideas all summer long!

Every summer, there was one program families asked about before the season even started: Wacky Water Day. Simple? Yes.Affordable? Absolutely.Memorable? Every single time. This became one of our most anticipated summer events because it combined everything kids love about summer: water, music, bubble...

21/05/2026

Indiana 📣 Here is your chance to recognize your favorite librarian!

ILF Awards, Honors, & Scholarships nominations are now open!

Each year, the Indiana Library Federation recognizes the individuals, libraries, and organizations making a lasting impact across our state—and provides scholarship opportunities to support continued growth in the profession.

Now is your chance to celebrate a colleague, highlight an outstanding program, or invest in professional development. Help us recognize excellence in Indiana libraries, librarians and supporters! Nominations close June 30th!

Learn more and submit a nomination or application: https://bit.ly/4u8voh3

21/05/2026

Welcome to all of my new ! I'm so glad you're here!

Let’s start a community conversation — because it's been a while and I think a lot of us could use one right now as we get into the craziness of summer reading.

What keeps you inspired in library work right now?

Maybe it’s:
A successful program
A meaningful patron interaction
A coworker who supports you
A creative idea you’re excited about
Advocacy, outreach, or community impact
Simply knowing someone felt welcome because of your work

This field can be exhausting, but it can also be deeply meaningful. I’d love to hear what’s keeping your spark alive lately.

Drop your thoughts in the comments — I may feature some responses in an upcoming inspirational blog post for Youth Services Playbook!

21/05/2026

Looking for a low-prep summer activity that teens (and tweens!) will actually WANT to do?

Bring back this favorite from the blog: Patches! A Wearable Art Program for Teens — a simple, creative program that also works PERFECTLY as a passive activity throughout the summer.

Participants can design patches for backpacks, jackets, tote bags, pencil cases — anything they want to personalize. It’s affordable, flexible, hands-on, and encourages creativity and self-expression without needing constant staff instruction.

The full post includes setup tips, supply lists, program variations, and why wearable art programs resonate so strongly with teens.

Please take a moment to follow me, subscribe to the blog, and share with your colleagues!

Read it here:

There’s something magical about giving teens the space to create something that feels personal and expressive. A DIY fabric patch program does exactly that. It’s low-cost, low-prep, and high-impact—and it naturally invites creativity, identity exploration, and a little bit of artistic risk-tak...

21/05/2026

🤘🏼 Yes, we do!

Eleven Reasons Why Librarians Rock