Julia W.

Roberts
Programming Proposal:
Who Run the World?:
Women Tell Their Stories
March 2015Womens History Month
Need for Program:
March 2015 will mark the 35th anniversary of the National Womens History Project, which
annually designates a theme for the month: this coming year, the theme will be Weaving the
Stories of Womens Lives. Womens History Month is a great time for us all to reflect upon the
roles women have in our society, the history of the struggle for equal rights, and what still
remains to be accomplished. AACPL believes in inspiring learning throughout life. As public
spaces where people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds
intersect, our libraries can be an indispensable tool for creating awareness and engagement
with womens issues. Across the AACPL system, and at the Severna Park Library, I know we
have many customers who will appreciate the opportunity to weave together their own stories.
Potential Community Partners:
Maryland Womens Heritage Center
Enoch Pratt Free Library/MD State Library Resource Center
Set-up:
The goal of this programming effort is to foster cross-generational participation in the
celebration of women. The program will be a sustained month-long effort, as opposed to a
one-time event. (No excuses to miss this one!) Passive programming allows people time to
reflect and engage peacefully and meaningfully with the theme, and we want reach out to as
many people as possible. There will be different stations/displays around the library, some
targeting specific audiences, some welcoming all.
Submit program description for publication by newsletter; begin promoting the program
beginning the first week of March, and regularly throughout the month.
Women Tell Their Stories!The centerpiece of the program will be a central bulletin board
with space for everyonewomen, men, young, and oldto write down a favorite woman
author (or particular book or story) and share how she and her work have shaped their lives.
Self-portraits have been an important mode of expression for centuries, and in this smartphone era, theyve been introduced to a new format: the selfie. Teens especially love the
selfie as a way of asserting their existence, so why not add booksbonus points for female
authors and protagonists!to the mix: Take a Selfie! Grab a good book and get snapping!
Teens can share their photos on social media with a pre-determined women-positive hashtag,
thus making their engagement with the program a highly social activity.
Will Shortzs NYT Womens History Crossword Puzzle, for the crossword puzzle demographic,
and for curious kids alike, will be available for the taking (with solutions upon request), so that
people can exercise their memories and/or use the opportunity to learn new facts about
womens history.

 Rotating book displays will highlight books by and about girls and women.
Program Evaluation:
Due to the passive nature of the the program, program attendance will not be exactly
measurable, but participation in interactive displays, puzzles, and social media platforms is
quantifiable and will be tracked. Customer feedback will be encouraged and noted. I would also
informally survey staff to hear their perceptions of the programs impact and success.
News Release:
Program Contact:
Julia W. Roberts
Library Associate
AACPL, Severna Park Branch
(410) 222-6290
WHO RUN THE WORLD?:
WOMEN TELL THEIR STORIES

Join the Severna Park Library in celebrating Womens History Month, March 2015! We want
to hear from you. Stop by throughout the month of March and tell us how women have written
themselves into your lives. All ages and voices welcome.
For more information, call (410)-222-6290.

(Post program release on AACPL Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr pages in March 2015.)