For Public Services Librarians ·
What you'll accomplish
You'll use ChatGPT to generate a complete summer reading program framework — weekly themes, activity ideas, craft projects, reading challenge structures, and promotional copy — in one working session instead of over several days.
What you'll need
Open a new ChatGPT chat. Start with a full context message so everything it generates is consistent:
I'm a librarian planning a summer reading program. Theme: [theme name — e.g., "Adventure Begins" or "Read Beyond the Beaten Path"]. Age groups: [list them — toddlers/preschool, elementary K-5, middle school, teens, adults]. Program duration: [X weeks, starting approximately when]. My library is [describe briefly — e.g., "a small-town public library serving about 5,000 people"]. Budget is limited. Help me plan the complete program.
What you should see: ChatGPT acknowledges the context and may ask what to tackle first, or dive into an overview.
Create a week-by-week program calendar for [X weeks] with a sub-theme for each week that ties into the main theme [theme]. For each week, suggest: (1) a weekly sub-theme name, (2) one featured program or event idea for kids, and (3) one activity for adults or teens.
What you should see: A complete program calendar — the kind that takes a full afternoon to brainstorm normally.
For the [specific age group] group, generate 6 craft/activity ideas that tie into the [theme]. Activities should use inexpensive materials (under $2 per participant), require minimal prep, and work for groups of 15–25. Include brief instructions for each.
Repeat for each age group.
Design a reading challenge tracking system for [age group]. It should motivate kids to read [target number of minutes/books/pages] over [X weeks]. Include: (1) how to track progress (paper log, punch card, or badge system), (2) milestone rewards or incentives, and (3) a final celebration activity. Keep it simple enough for one staff person to manage.
Write promotional materials for our summer reading program. Theme: [theme]. Dates: [start/end]. Age groups: [list]. Include: (1) a social media announcement post, (2) a one-paragraph flyer description, and (3) a 3-sentence email newsletter blurb for patrons.
Create a recommended reading list for the [age group] summer reading program tied to the theme [theme]. Include 10 titles for [age level — e.g., early readers, chapter books, middle grade]. For each, give the author and a 1-sentence description of how it connects to the theme.
Program Calendar:
Create a [X]-week summer reading program calendar for theme "[theme]." Ages: [groups]. For each week: sub-theme name, kids' program idea, adult/teen activity.
Craft/Activity Ideas:
Generate 6 [age group] craft/activity ideas for summer reading theme "[theme]." Under $2/participant, groups of 15-25, minimal prep. Include brief instructions.
Reading Challenge:
Design a reading challenge for [age group] — [X weeks], target [books/minutes]. Include tracking system, milestones, and final celebration. Simple for 1 staff to manage.
Reading List:
Create a 10-title recommended reading list for [age level] on theme "[theme]." Include author and 1-sentence theme connection for each.
Promotional Copy:
Write summer reading promo: social media post, flyer paragraph, email newsletter blurb. Theme: [theme]. Dates: [dates]. Ages: [groups].