Free Libraries Arent Free: Being Relevant in the Community

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Anytown
Kansas
Libraries
Libraries
City
Where do we fit in?
Where do we fit in?
Budget
By
I. Serve Daily
025 DAI
Free Libraries Arent 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 
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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
Welcome!
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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!
I
Janes All the Worlds Answ
For
Finding Money
Libraries
Libraries
Friends of the Library
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3. Dont 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 reporters needs, and youll
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).
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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/cck
s.html, to see which collection is closest to
you. If all are too far, you can become a
co-operating collection yourself, if youre
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.
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5. Find a community partner.
Whether its 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, youre 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.
Community Partnering for Libraries
Community Partnering for Libraries
By I. M. Smart
361.7 SMA
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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, youll increase your relevance in the
community. If you dont have the space, or the
money, to meet these needs, compile a list of
community resources (non-profits and local
businesses) which can. Youll be saving your
patrons time and effort, and they in turn, will
advocate for you.
The Public Library is a
Treasure in the Community.
Friendly Public Library
Where Ideas
Grow!
Dedicated
2001 Built by the generous support of the
Friendly public.
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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.
Its great exposure for them, and good publicity
for you.
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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.
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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.)
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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 arent computer savvy, appoint a
committee of responsible teens to moderate the
blog). Ask them for book and film
recommendations, or favorite teen-oriented
websites.
See this cool book I found at the library?
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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.
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12. Get a vision of the future.
Even if youre 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
Video Book Reader
USB Flash Drive
Internet, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel,
Powerpoint), and Databases
Headphones
USB Ports and Firewire
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13. Who are the people in your neighborhood?
Theyre 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
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14. When it comes to distributing IRS Forms,
were usually the only game in town.
IRS Holdem
Where the forms are hot
And the patrons are wild
Rules of the Game 1. Put forms out on tables or
shelves 2. Run Away 3. Memorize IRS toll-free
number 1-800-829-1040 (TAX 1040)
Tax Forms, Yes! Tax Advice, No!
IRS Holdem
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IRS Hold'em
The IRS sends 'em, and we hold'em for you
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15. Lets hear from you! Do you have ideas that
have worked for you?
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Any Questions?
Please contact me Jeff Imparato,
Reference Librarian Head of the Foundation
Center Cooperating Collection 1515 W. 10th
Topeka, KS 66604-1374 [phone]
[phone] Voicemail jimparat_at_mail.tscpl.
org