Take 5: Reader’s Advisory Calendar Sources to Help Plan Your RA Throughout the Year

Throughout my 30+ years of working with youth and teens in libraries, I have compiled dates of interest for doing programming and reader’s advisory. I started creating a running list years ago, and now I have a pretty solid spreadsheet of dates that I can use to put together programs and promotions on a theme. And because it’s a spreadsheet – I do love a good spreadsheet – I can easily add dates, sort dates, etc. I can keep track of what I’ve done, how it’s worked, and more. Below are some of my sources, organized by what type of information you can find at each source.

HOLIDAY, NATIONAL, AND RANDOM DAILY DATES

Here you’ll find your basic, widely celebrated types of dates. We’re talking National Peanut Butter Day, Mental Health Awareness, etc.

Source: https://www.holidaycalendar.io/topic/arts-entertainment-holidays
Source: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/

DEI SPECIFIC DATES

This source highlights specific DEI dates, some of which I wasn’t necessarily aware of. It includes the big ones, like Black History Month, but also puts together the dates for cultural celebrations that might fluctuate, like Muslim and Jewish holidays that do not follow a solar calendar but use a lunar calendar.

Source: https://www.electives.io/resources/dei-holidays-to-celebrate-in-january

Source: https://www.diversityresources.com/diversity-calendar-2025/

BOOK RELATED DATES

We’re librarians, so of course book related dates matter. Here you’ll find both character and author birthdays. From Winnie the Pooh to J.R.R. Tolkein, these calendars will help you plan events and promotions related specifically to the books we have in our collections.

Source: https://buildyourlibrary.com/calendar-book-related-holidays/
Source: https://www.writerswrite.co.za/literary-birthday-calendar/

UPCOMING MOVIE AND TV SHOW RELEASE DATES

I love doing programming and RA related to popular tv shows and movies. These calendars highlight upcoming TV show and move release dates. It’s important to note that these dates are the most likely to fluctuate as dates get shifted, movies get cancelled, etc. My best advice is to keep tabs on this information if you are going to do any type of promotions related to these dates.

Source: https://www.firstshowing.net/schedule2025/

Source: https://www.metacritic.com/news/tv-premiere-dates/

MEGA LISTS

This is a really great list of a ton of calendars all in one place. It includes historical calendars, astronomical events, and, one of my favorites, UFO sightings throughout the years.

Source: https://www.sldirectory.com/cal.html

You can also get more specific, depending on what your and your local population has an interest in. There are specific horror themed calendars, music themed calendars, and sports calendars.

Here’s a PDF look at the calendar of events that I have put together over the last 10 years or so using the sources mentioned above. It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, I pick and choose events of possible interest and modify my list as I go. https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Calendar-of-Events-Outline-for-RA.pdf

Whatever you’re planning for next year, I hope it’s a good one. And if you know of some date or event to plan around that you think is particularly awesome, leave it in a comment. Maybe I’ll add it to my calendar!

Filed under: #RA, Reader's Advisory