This book offers 101 passive programming ideas that are extendable, adaptable, customizable, and above all, stealable-so your passive programming never runs dry.
Passive programming is a cheap, quick, fun way to make all library customers feel like part of the community. It can support reading initiatives, foster family engagement, encourage visit frequency, and coax interaction out of library lurkers-while barely making a dent in your programming budget. Passive programming can be targeted at children, teens, adults, or seniors; used to augment existing programs; and executed in places where staff-led programming can't reach. It can be light-footed, spontaneous, and easily deployed to reflect and respond to current news, media, library events, and even the weather. But even passive programming pros run out of ideas sometimes, and when that happens, they want a fresh, funny source of inspiration.
Paula Willey (she/ella) is a librarian and freelance writer in Baltimore. My reviews and features have appeared in School Library Journal, the Baltimore Sun, Booklist, and others. My book, The Passive Programming Playbook, co-written with Andria L. Amaral, has been called "an engaging and practical guide" in Booklist and "chock-full of ideas and inspiration" in School Library Journal. A member of the rockin selection team at First Book, I read hundreds of books a year looking for just the right titles to appeal to, educate and entertain the students served by First Book's network of Title I teachers and others serving low-income communities. I also write and speak on passive programming, media literacy, service to people with justice system involvement, graphic novels, and the appeal of horror fiction to seemingly normal children and teens.