Is there a source which recommends books for adults who are very poor readers (primary level readers with adult interests)?

These kinds of books, known as hi/lo (high interest/low reading level) are useful for people with learning disabilities, new readers of English, and reluctant readers, among others. There are numerous websites that provide lists of books that fall into this category. For example:

Resource Room
A list of more than a dozen sites, most of them belonging to publishers. Two are especially handy: Michelle Stimson (see information about her firm Wegottaread.com which offers free short stories to download) who writes urban contemporary Christian fiction; and
L_MNet the international school media specialists’ listserv which offers lists of hi/low books through its archives.

YALSA
The Young Adult Services Association of ALA compiles an annual list of recommended fiction and nonfiction for reluctant teen readers. Many of the titles will appeal to adults as well.

The Center for Adult Literacy
Based at Georgia State University, the Center offers a broad spectrum of information, including an extensive list of annotated hi/lo books divided into more than fifteen subject areas.

Madison (WI) Public Library
This annotated list, created by staff of this excellent public library, covers choices for both middle and high school reluctant readers. There are quite a few of the latter that would engage adults.

High Noon Books
This publisher specializes in hi/lo materials and has a useful website listing the books by readability levels and by subjects.

Reader and Language Arts Center, Inc.
Like High Noon Books, this is a publisher specializing in providing materials for teachers, tutors, and students of all ages to help the latter reach their potential as readers.

Program Help - Top Ten Resources

This is the first in a series of "top ten" lists. If you are looking for resources to make 2010 the best year ever for your library programs, look no further! The websites in this guide discuss several aspects of programming.

Event$ "on the cheap": Keeping the "bottom line" in mind is important in these budget-conscious times. Here are several websites with programming ideas that are inexpensive or free.

1. Hudson Valley Library E-Z Program Database

This is a searchable database of free and inexpensive program ideas, created by librarians in New York. Ideas are searchable by cost range, topic, audience, and/or program type.

2. What's Your Story? Find it at the library.

From the state library of Montana, this list of programming ideas for adults includes forty topics. Each is discussed in detail, with a catchy title, possible subtopics, approximate program time, suggested types of speakers, and more.

3. Calendar of Teen Programming Ideas

This wiki by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, presents ideas for teen programming in a calendar format. Everything from national holidays to library-specific events like Teen Read Week gets its due in this resource with something for everyone.

Working the Crowd: Partnerships with other community organizations can benefit everyone involved. Look in your community for like-minded organizations, and approach them about working together.

4. Check your community's website for a list of organizations, like this one from Salisbury, MD.

Making Your Mark(er): Arts and crafts make-and-take events are great for children and teens. To cut down on costs, you can ask for donations of art supplies from community members (everyone needs to clean out their closets sometime!) or local stores.

5. Choose crafts that are inexpensive to make, like origami boxes. View the directions with pictures here.

Here are two great books with lots of inexpensive ideas for kids' crafts:

6. Kids' Crazy Concoctions: Different mixtures in this book include homemade Play-Doh and other recipes for art supplies that use inexpensive household ingredients.

7. EcoArt!: Earth-friendly art and craft experiences for 3 to 9 year olds: Suggestions for activities made with recycled or reusable materials turn one person's trash into another person's treasure.

Looking Ahead: Find out what made your program great, and what to do next. Use your most important resource to the fullest - your patrons! Here are some websites including ideas for questions to use in both planning and follow-up surveys.

8. For planning programs: Planning Programs Survey

9. To follow up after a program: http://www.slrc.info/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=42890

10. SurveyMonkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/

SurveyMonkey is free, easy to use, and compiles survey results for you. If you prefer, you can use paper surveys.

Use what you learned from your patrons' feedback to make your next program even better. Good luck and here's to a fun and exciting year of great programs in 2010!