A Community working Together
What one small library can do with a little help and support from your
community can change your world!
A little story
• Nearly 50 years ago a group of 6 ladies from the Literary Society got together and petitioned the state to open a public library in the Village of Hopkins.
• It was amazing! A tiny farming village had its own library and even got a letter from the White House.
• Then stagnation set in…• About 3 years ago a new librarian came in and started
changes• Now we are an active, fun, and exciting place for our
community to be proud of!
Natalie Bazan’s photo of the Hopkins District Library
Schools
• Raise your hand – how many of you have schools close to your library?
• Schools as:– Literacy Partners– Teachers (for classes at your library)– Media outlets– Bulk purchasing partners – Grant partners– Tech help!
Community Groups
• What kind of community groups do you have? • Why involve community groups?• Fund Raising, grants, instructors, audience • Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Masons, Knights of
Columbus, Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts, Toastmasters, VFW, American Legion
All logos from official websites
Clubs
• Do you have a hobby? What is it? (just one please!)
• Do you have a giant table? Meeting room? Or just an open space in or near the library?
• Garden Club, Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts, Painting, Drawing, Taxidermy, Fly Tying, Exercise, Health, …
Photo from Natalie Bazan – Hopkins Yarn Bomb: Watch your garden grow!
Governmental organizations
• Do you or anyone from your library go to local governmental meetings?
• State/Counties/Townships/Villages• Advocacy• Advertising• Funding• Good will• Reach non-users
Businesses
• Donations –– Materials– Funds– Volunteer Time
• Class instructors– Ask them to design a class
• Advertisers• Good will in the community
Background from Flickr artist amandabhslater
Becoming a Community Center
Pro• Providing more diverse
programming • Bringing non-users into the
library • Additional grant funds
available
Con• Funding for additional
events and resources• Time – open additional
hours and time spent planning
• Commitment to provide additional programming
Funding Sources• What is your best fund raising idea?• Searching –
– Google is a good place to start– Check out local businesses/governments
• Asking – – Put out a jar/box/coin vortex– Do fund raisers/silent auctions/live auctions/Ebay sales– Write to national businesses that have a connection to your town
• Reporting – – Check with your accountant/bookkeeper about needing a single audit– Make sure to follow up with the grant organizations/donors and send
in those reports!
Understanding Your Needs
• What’s kind of survey questions work best?• Break out the surveys (digital and paper)• The informal survey – aka talk to people• Look back in the records – what works and
what doesn’t • Cater to your population
Never give up, just keep at it!
• Get organized – start a spread sheet with all the organizations in/near your area, what they do, what you might like them to do, and when they do something with you
• Send ‘Thank You’ cards – never underestimate the power or a thank you (with pictures or a little gift is even better)
• Don’t be afraid to ask!
If you have questions, comments or concerns, please do contact me!
Natalie [email protected]
269-793-7516 (work)
