Free Libraries Aren’t Free: Being Relevant in the Community

"Whatever the costs of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation."  Walter Cronkite 

City

Budget

Where do we fit in?

Libraries Anytown

Anytown

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Libraries W

here do we fi

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ByI. Serve Daily

1. Hitch your cart to the Welcome Wagon.

Be proactive in making yourself known. Contact the local chamber of commerce or visitors bureau and give them brochures about the Library. Make up packets for newcomers to the area that has your Library card applications, Library brochures, and any programming you are currently doing.

Welcome!Library Information

2. You gotta have friends!!!

You have powerful allies when you have a Friends group. They are the true believers in your mission, and will speak up for you to the political leaders.

Friends of the Library

Finding M

oney

ForLibraries

Janes All the W

orld’s Answ

A Friends Group can also raise money for you. They can register as a 501(c)3 Tax Exempt organization with the IRS, and donors can get a tax deduction.

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Support Your Library!I

Libraries

3. Don’t hide your candle under a bush.

If you have a program, brag about it. Contact the local media, especially early morning local television stations, to see if they will interview you about the program.

Become the answer experts to your local newspaper. With all of the resources available through the Kansas Library Card, You should be able to address any reporter’s needs, and you’ll be building a relationship that could lead to more coverage of the Library.

Offer to speak at local organizations’ meetings, many are seeking programs relevant to their group (and the Library is relevant to everyone).

4. Look for outside sources for funding.

There is a wonderful organization called the Foundation Center, based in New York City. They have established a number of Co-operating Collections which help non-profits find funding sources. Every state has at least one, we have eight.

Search http://foundationcenter.org/collections/ccks.html, to see which collection is closest to you. If all are too far, you can become a co-operating collection yourself, if you’re willing to invest $1,000 annually, and make a commitment to attend an annual or regional conference .

The Foundation Center has many free services available online. You can register for free, and sign up for the Philanthropy News Digest, which sends e-mail on Philanthropy topics of your choosing, as well as grant opportunities indicating eligibility and deadlines.

Click here

Click Here

5. Find a community partner.

Whether it’s with a local government agency, a non-profit, or a business, the Library can use its role as a community center to create programs beneficial to all. If, for example, you’re doing a program on home repair, contact the local home repair centers to send representatives to demonstrate. Sometimes, rather than give cash, a business will offer in-kind donations, offering a free service or a free item of something they already sell.

By I. M. Smart

Thanks for your

donation.

6. Find a need, fill a need

Research your community resources. Does anyone provide a résumé service? A public fax machine? A large meeting room? A community information & referral service? If you can provide any of these or other services, you’ll increase your relevance in the community. If you don’t have the space, or the money, to meet these needs, compile a list of community resources (non-profits and local businesses) which can. You’ll be saving your patrons time and effort, and they in turn, will advocate for you.

The Public Lib

rary is a

Treasure in the Comm

unity.

Dedicated 2001 Built by the generous support ofthe Friendly public.

7. Celebrate the Library during National and State Library Recognition days.

During National Library Week, or Kansas Library Month, Ask your community leaders to participate in Library events.

Invite local leaders to read a story during Storytime, or ask them to help deliver books to nursing homes or meal sites. It’s great exposure for them, and good publicity for you.

8. Showcase the cultural wonders of your community.

Are there local artists and writers who deserve attention? Set up an area in a prominent place to show off their works. Use a secured display case, with an easy-to-read bio and explanation of the work involved.

Hold a poetry contest, with cash prizes for the top 3 winners, and have all contributors read their submission. The Basehor Public Library has done this very popular event for several years. They gather all of their poems in a binder which is available for public viewing.

Create a “Draw the Library” contest among the elementary school students. Ask local businesses for inexpensive prizes, which can be awarded to the winners in each grade level, and/or give an age appropriate book as a prize. Make up as many categories as possible (most colorful, most creative, most accurate, most windows and doors), etc.) Showcase their work in a prominent place, high enough so most adults to see them, but low enough for the child to touch (for photo opportunities.)

9. Give the school children an interactive role.

10. Create a teen-advisory board.Give teens a forum to discuss what they need from the library. Ask them to create and maintain a website (subject to Librarian approval for graphics and content).

See this cool book I found at the library?

Create a Young Adults blog, encourage their participation (If you have no “Young Adults Librarian”, or aren’t computer savvy, appoint a committee of responsible teens to moderate the blog). Ask them for book and film recommendations, or favorite teen-oriented websites.

11. Celebrate your volunteers.

At least once a year, have a party for your volunteers. If you have a small number, give each an award for years of service. If a large number, give an award for 3, 5, 10,15, 20, and 25 years of service.

Some, who provide homework help (like the picture), should also be acknowledged by the person helped. Ask the student to write something about his/her experience and share this with tutor, and with those in fundraising. These testimonials are perfect for sharing with donors who want to aid in building a homework resource collection.

12. Get a vision of the future.Even if you’re a one-person library, you still can provide technology for your patrons. Contact a local computer users club, or computer store for help.

Video Book

Reader

PDAFlat Screen

USB Ports and Firewire

Internet, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint),

and Databases

USB Flash Drive

Headphones

MP3 Player & Audio Book

Reader

DVD/CDRecorder or

Blueray Burner

13. Who are the people in your neighborhood?

They’re the people that you meet, as they come in from the street, as they walk in from their home each day.

Get involved in the local neighborhood. If there is a neighborhood association, attend its meetings. If you have a meeting room available, schedule it for them. You may find there is something the Library can do to improve the area. Does it need more lighting to discourage crime? Is there a school in the area to partner with?

Brandau Public Library

14. When it comes to distributing IRS Forms, we’re usually the only game in town.

Where the

forms are hotIRS Hold’em

And the

patrons

are wild

Rules of the Game1. Put forms out on tables or shelves2. Run Away3. Memorize IRS toll-free number 1-800-829-1040 (TAX 1040)

IRS Hold’e

m

Tax Forms,Tax Forms,Yes!Yes!

Tax Advice,Tax Advice,No!No!

15. Let’s hear from you! Do you have ideas that have worked for you?

Any Questions? Please contact me…

Jeff Imparato, Reference Librarian & Head of the Foundation Center Cooperating Collection

1515 W. 10th

Topeka, KS 66604-1374

(785) 580-4555 (785) 580-4683 – Voicemail jimparat@mail.tscpl.org