Public library weekend programs engage patrons of all ages

Pop quiz time! What's the most popular day to go to the library?

When you consider that among the core values of librarianship (according to the American Library Association) are preserving information resources and making them accessible to the public, it's somewhat surprising that info on libraries themselves is hard to find.

When we were planning this blog post, we started out by wondering which days of the week are the busiest ones at public libraries. For the most part, the answer proved elusive, but we were able to find one very useful article from which we can extrapolate.

For "How and When People Use the Public Library", data scientist Yorgos Askalidis looked at a dataset of checkout times from Seattle Public Library over a 12-year period. He found that, consistently, the busiest day was — drum roll, please — Saturday.

Okay, that's not much of a surprise. Kids aren't in school, adults (at least the ones with 9-to-5 Monday-to-Friday jobs) are off work, and many library branches are closed on Sundays. Almost by default, Saturday is the big winner.

And what do patrons do when they get there? Check out books and other library resources, of course.

As a September 2024 editorial from The Guardian points out, however, that's only the beginning:

Where else can you find craft workshops, Lego, coding and chess clubs alongside reading challenges and author events, all for free? Rhyme times offer desperately needed company to isolated parents, as well as stimulation for children. Libraries can be a lifeline, not just to those unable, or unwilling, to spend £20 on the new Sally Rooney novel. If you don’t have access to the internet or a printer, if you struggle with English or can’t keep warm in winter, libraries are not simply somewhere to borrow books. And you don’t even need to buy a cup of tea to spend a whole day there.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the programs, events and fun activities libraries use to engage with patrons of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teens, adults and seniors, on weekends (mostly Saturdays). Many library events are free of charge — sometimes with registration required — but check with your local branch to confirm.

See also:

• Six ways to rebuild library patron loyalty and increase foot traffic

• Unlocking potential: utilizing library space for community engagement and recreation

• Seven new library programs to consider adding to your branch

Weekend storytime and family fun

Many libraries host interactive storytime sessions with librarians or special guests reading picture books to young patrons, sometimes in a designated children's room. They may also sing songs and lead children in arts and crafts or other activities related to the stories.

Edinburgh's Central Library, for example, hosts a weekly storytime for children ages 3 to 5, every Saturday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the children's area.

Storytime at Hamilton City Library's Te Kete Aronui branch in New Zealand is tailored specifically for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. It features stories, songs, movement and interactive activities that foster early literacy.

Drag Story Hour

From its founding in San Francisco in 2015, Drag Story Hour (DSH) has since expanded to include more than two dozen chapters across the United States, with additional chapters in Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Japan.

According to the official Drag Story Hour website, DSH is "just what it sounds like" — an event where drag performers read stories to kids in libraries. (DSH events also take place in schools, bookstores and other all-ages venues.)

It is worth noting that library events featuring drag queens have occasionally been met with resistance and even protests by a small but vocal minority of people in some communities. However, they are intended to send a positive message, per the Drag Story Hour website:

DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.

In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves! 

Author visits and readings

Libraries often invite local authors or well-known writers to give in-person talks, readings and book signings on weekends. Such an event can attract both avid readers and aspiring writers.

A few upcoming events of note at libraries around the world:

• Librarian and activist Amanda Jones will discuss her book That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America with author and playwright Peter Parnell. This event takes place at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (a branch of New York Public Library) on Friday, November 8.

• On Friday, November 15, Grimsby Public Library in Grimsby, Ontario, hosts an event featuring Canadian authors Bryn Turnbell (The Berlin Apartment) and Opal Wei (Wild Life).

• From November 22 to 24, the British Library Knowledge Centre in London plays host to the Irish Writers’ Weekend, featuring a wide range of Ireland’s most accomplished, popular and creative authors, poets, comedians, and musicians including Kevin Barry, Lucy Caldwell, Sinéad Gleeson, Rónán Hession, Chloe Michelle Howarth, Caolinn Hughes, Neil Jordan, Louise Kennedy, Claire Kilroy, Cauvery Madhavan, Lisa McInerney, Una Mannion, Mike McCormack, Paul Muldoon, Graham Norton, Loah, Dara Ó Briain, Séamas O’Reilly, Fintan O’Toole and Donal Ryan. 

• In honor of Native American History Month, the Georgetown branch of DC Public Library hosts a talk by Dr. Armand Lione, author of Native American History of Washington D.C., on Saturday, November 23.

Book clubs

Many libraries organize weekend book club meetings for different genres and age groups, encouraging patrons to read and discuss books and fostering a sense of community among readers.

On the fourth Saturday of every month, for example, the Westwood branch of Los Angeles Public Library hosts a Mystery Book Club. In November, the group will discuss Alex Segura's Secret Identity, which Booklist, Kirkus Reviews and NPR named as one of the best mystery novels of 2023.

The Page Turners Tween Book Club at the St. Vital branch of Winnipeg Public Library meets for an hour every six weeks to discuss a different book aimed at readers aged 9 to 12.

Makerspaces

Libraries with the space and budget can set up a makerspace, where patrons can participate in classes or explore various DIY activities, including 3D printing, coding, crafting and other hands-on projects.

Vancouver Public Library's Inspiration Lab (at VPL's Central Library branch) is a "free space dedicated to digital creativity, collaboration and storytelling". The Inspiration Lab allows patrons to:

• Record professional-quality audio and video in a recording studio

• Convert photographs, slides, audio cassette tapes, VHS tapes, and 8mm video cassette tapes into digital file formats at a Digitization Station

• Edit and create images, audio, video, eBooks and more using specialized software on one of the library's Creation Stations

The Edge Innovation Lab at Australia's State Library of Queensland features laser cutters, sewing equipment and a recording studio, and regularly hosts workshops, meetups and exhibitions.

And in Singapore, the National Library Board presents classes and workshops in robotics, coding, 3D printing, sewing and more at its MakeIT labs, which can be found at various branches.

Getting the word out

In addition to posting a "what's on" calendar to the library website, library staff can promote these events through social media posts and in-branch flyers. To ensure maximum visibility, though, PressReader can help.

Libraries that offer PressReader are able to provide patrons with access to more than 7,000 high-quality publications from around the world, all on one easy-to-use digital platform, but PressReader is more than just a way to give patrons access to third-party newspapers and magazines.

Using PressReader's Self-Pub feature

With PressReader’s Self-Pub feature, libraries can also share their own content by uploading their own newsletters, announcements and info on upcoming classes, workshops and programs to the front page of PressReader to further engage with library users.   

When libraries use Self-Pub, their patrons will be greeted by the branch's latest content as soon as they open PressReader, ensuring they see important updates and news before they begin browsing the app’s catalog of publications. The best part is that there’s no need for staff to spend their time and resources digitizing the library's collateral. PressReader does it all, all on one familiar platform.

Further reading

If you are a librarian seeking inspiration and ideas for events and programs to engage patrons, here are a few good places to start:

• Programming Librarian (a website of the American Library Association Public Programs Office) includes a database of program ideas, sortable by budget, event type, library type and audience.

• Focused on more movement-based activities (think yoga, chair exercises and life-sized board games), UNC Greensboro School of Education's Let's Move in Libraries is "a great place for library professionals to be inspired by, learn about and share excellent program ideas to get their communities moving".

• Bad Art Night? Zombie Barbies? Chocolate Olympics? Giant Twister? These are among the unique ideas (most of them aimed at kids and tweens) offered by Ontarian Librarian.