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

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
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.
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.
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.
Support
Your
Library!
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.
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.
Dedicated
2001
Built by the
generous
support of
the 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.
9. Give the school children an interactive role.
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.)
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).
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 teenoriented websites.
See this
cool book I
found at
the library?
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.
MP3 Player &
Audio Book
Reader
Flat
Screen
PDA
DVD/CD
Recorder or
Blueray
Burner
USB Ports
and Firewire
Video
Book
Reader
Internet, Microsoft
Office Suite (Word,
Excel, Powerpoint),
and Databases
USB
Flash
Drive
Headphones
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.
Tax Forms,
Yes!
Tax Advice,
No!
IRS
Hold’em
Rules of the
Game
1. Put forms out on
tables or shelves
2. Run Away
3. Memorize IRS
toll-free number 1800-829-1040 (TAX
1040)
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
[email protected]