“Passive Programming in the
Library”
Katherine Higginbottom
Cedar Ridge High School
 My
original presentation did not include
the discussion of “Passive Programming.”
 Due to the fact that so much of my
programming IS passive programming, I
decided to discuss the concept.
 “Passive
programming offers the
opportunity to reach more patrons while
expending less librarian energy.”

© 2014 North Central Kansas Libraries System
 Each
day, a student
stops by my library to
sharpen his pencil.
 He claims, “Your
pencil sharpener is
better than anyone
else’s.”
 Why is this important
to me?
 Because
in 30 seconds or less, I can talk
to this student about…
• What he is currently reading…
• What he just finished reading…
• What new book I would recommend to him…
• What books he would recommend to others…
• What does he plan on reading next…
• What new series has he discovered…


Near the copy machine, a
table supplied with paper,
pencils, stapler, paperclips,
pens, markers, high-lighters,
note cards, and sticky notes.
Students are welcome to take
supplies as needed. To date,
students have not abused this
privilege.
Display announcements in or near
the library. Lunch menus, sports’
schedules, semester test
schedules, etc.
Have copies available INSIDE the
library.
Students WILL come to the library
to get copies if they know you have
them. Word of mouth goes along
way.
 Approximately, a
dozen or more students
each week stop by to visit with Dewey
and Harry.
 One day, I noticed the students picking
out their favorite books and propping the
books up next to the fish tanks so Dewey
and Harry could ‘read.’
 At
first and second
lunch
 Anyone
 Usually a dozen or
more at both lunches
 Books of movies
displayed
 Students’ choice
 Old Yeller
 Fahrenheit
 Summer
 Moby
of the
Monkeys
 Left Behind
 Diary of Anne Frank
 Sounder
 Jacob Have I Loved
 The Outsiders
451
Dick
 A Separate Peace
 The Great Gatsby
 Bridge to Terabithia
 Where the Red Fern
Grows
 Huckleberry Finn
 Displayed
among my
book shelves.
 Students make
recommendations of
books they want me
to purchase.
 Specific titles
 Series
 Authors
 Genres
 Make
sure books are appropriate for grade
levels.
 Check that you do not already have the title.
 If you have the title, note on the Wish List
that the title is available in the library so
students will know to look for it.
 When ordering, I typed the wish list out and
make notes…purchased, no hardcover
available, not appropriate, age level not
appropriate, etc.
 If students ask me why I did not order the
book, I can refer to my list and explain why.
 Draw
attention to
books.
 New
books available.
 Mrs. H
read this book
and gives it 4 stars.
 Blind
Date Book
received 5 hearts.
 Genre
bookmarks
draw attention to the
books and lists other
books of the same
genre.
 Long term themes, I
laminate and keep.
 Monthly themes, I just
copy and let students
keep them.
 For
students with little time to choose a
book.
• Between classes or Grab-N-Go Breakfast
 For
students who need limited choices.
 For students who will not browse the
shelves on their own.
 I place books that have recently been
checked out in these baskets.
I
always eat my lunch in the library.
 Why?
• Students love to sit and visit with me while I’m
eating.
• Better conversation. 
• I learn more about my students during these
conversations.
• They give me a lot of input I might not otherwise
receive.
 Buy
holiday pencils
on sale
 Sell them for 25₵
each
 Students stop by
every day to
purchase these
pencils even though I
have plain pencils for
free
 Take profit and buy
apples…WHY?
Feed Them
They
Will
Come
 Candy
Land
 Checkers
 Chess
 Cards
 Students
come in
during lunch and
study hall to play
games!



Making Christmas
Cards for children at St.
Jude.
I just set up tables with
supplies and a note
detailing the project
and students work on
their own.
Lots of students see
what is going on and
stop in to get involved.
 Our
library gets
involved in
everything going on
at school.
 Red Ribbon Week
Poster Contest.
 EASY, EASY, EASY
 Posted flyers
 Tobacco Coalition
Group judged
 Winner-book fair gift
certificates



http://www.programminglibrarian.org/library/planning/reaching-teens-passiveprogramming.html#.UzdWcvldWJE
http://nckls.mykansaslibrary.org/programming/unprogramming-passive-program-ideas/
https://docs.google.com/a/crsd.k12.ar.us/document/d/1OBGwr9qm39WZ8sl9tTNB5uNbQTC-Cel_G43X53RNq8/edit

http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2013/12/passive-programming-in-a-school-library/

http://www.amazon.com/Librarians-Guide-Passive-Programming-Affordable/dp/159884895X

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/pubs/yareadingclub/passive.html


http://mlissinginaction.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/passive-programs-and-other-experientiallibrary-doings/
http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2009/08/passive-not-aggressive.html