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Programming office reviews 2024 activity, partnerships and summer plans; public praise for STEM and robotics
Summary
Program Development & Aid staff reviewed 2024 program counts, partnerships, CAP planning and summer reading themes; a public commenter praised the library's STEM/robotics programming.
Caitlin Coyne and Shell Weidenbach, area resource managers in the library’s programming department (Program Development & Aid, PDA), briefed the board on the department’s 2024 programming, community partnerships, and systemwide initiatives during the March meeting.
Coyne said PDA oversees program development across adult and juvenile services and works with the strategic planning office and the Indianapolis Library Foundation on the CAP (community action plan) process that guides programming. The presenters gave systemwide numbers for 2024 programing and participation and said the department provides centralized resources such as program kits, event materials, and administrative and billing support for branch programming. Coyne specifically acknowledged the Indianapolis Library Foundation as funding a majority of the department’s work.
Weidenbach described the juvenile program structure, including specialists for 0–5, school-age and teens, and highlighted collaboration with community partners: Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) summer school support for rising second and some third graders at risk of failing iRead 3; a ‘‘Meet Your Neighbor’’ program with refugee-serving partners; a story walk at Newfields; and a partnership with the Indiana Historical Society around McFadden-related programming tied to the 100th anniversary of the Stephenson trial.
The presenters listed systemwide reading initiatives (thousand books before kindergarten, summer reading) and noted efforts on dementia-friendly branch certification. They previewed 2025 summer programming themes focused on natural history with children’s events including Dino Dash, Geology Rocks and Junior Paleontologist sessions, and adult offerings such as stone carving and paleo art.
During public comment, Nick Johnstone, a parent and frequent patron, praised the library’s STEM and robotics programs, describing how his children had benefited from robotics and VEX kits at Central and noting the staff’s supportive approach.
Coyne and Weidenbach said the programming office tracks program evaluation and uses equity tools in program development, and that they are increasing collaboration across the department.
