Outreach is one of my favorite aspects of my job, and I eagerly accept most invitations to staff a library information table at community events. Taking the library message outside the walls of your building and into the community is critical in these lean budget years where we need all the advocates we can get! You\u2019ll introduce nonusers to your services and entice them to visit, and you\u2019ll connect in new ways with your current patrons. Over the years, I\u2019ve learned (often the hard way) about the best approaches to these outreach opportunities. These are my standard items to bring to any event:<\/p>\n
That\u2019s my basic packing list, but I tailor it to the particular event. If I\u2019m outside, I\u2019ll make sure to have sunglasses, sunscreen, and a lightweight jacket. Wind can wreak havoc on your beautifully displayed table, so bring a paperweight to anchor down flyers. Don\u2019t be the panicked librarian abandoning your table to retrieve summer reading program calendars soaring around the park. (Yes, I\u2019ve been there \u2014 done that.)<\/p>\n
If you bring a craft for the kids, think simple preassembled projects with minimal components. You\u2019re already schlepping\u00a0a ton of stuff \u2014 do you want to add glue, glitter, markers, and construction paper to the list? I made the mistake once of bringing a craft to a farmers\u2019 market that took too long to finish. I witnessed many parents, loaded down with fresh produce, get impatient and frustrated as their kids refused to leave until the project was complete. Lesson learned. Save your cutest craft ideas for your regular library programs. Often I find a basic coloring sheet with a booklist on the flip side serves as a perfectly adequate craft for these events. Just bring a small container of crayons, and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n
Sometimes I\u2019ll bring candy to lure people to the library table, but again \u2014 learn from my mistakes. Chocolate + hot weather + hours outdoors = FAIL. \u00a0Hard candy is the superior choice, and it\u2019s often cheaper.<\/p>\n
Once you have gathered everything, how are you going to transport it? One world \u2014 wheels<\/em><\/strong>. I invested in a rolling suitcase designed for scrapbookers who take supplies to parties. With all of its little compartments and pockets, it\u2019s perfect for outreach events. I also see many librarians use rolling crates that fold for easy, compact storage.<\/p>\n The vast majority of the people you encounter will be thrilled to see their library out in the community, and will shower you with praise. But just like working a public service desk, you might hear some not-so-positive feedback as well. You are attending the event as a representative of the library, and people will stop to share their opinions. If there is a current hot-button issue regarding your library (like a tax levy), consult your supervisor prior to the event and get some talking points. Your supervisor may advise you to refer any concerns or questions to library administration, and that\u2019s fine \u2014 just make sure to have their business cards on hand to distribute if needed.<\/p>\n With a little preparation, community outreach events can generate a ton of good will and good press for your library. Don\u2019t forget your water, your sunscreen, and most importantly \u2014 to have fun!<\/p>\n \u00a0Susan Baier, Division Manager of Youth and Extension Services<\/p>\n Santa Clara City Library<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Outreach is one of my favorite aspects of my job, and I eagerly accept most invitations to staff a library information table at community events. Taking the library message outside the walls of your building and into the community is critical in these lean budget years where we need all the advocates we can get! You\u2019ll introduce nonusers to your services and entice them to visit, and you\u2019ll connect in new ways with your current patrons. Over the years, I\u2019ve learned (often the hard way) about the best approaches to these outreach opportunities. These are my standard items to bring to any event: Bookmarks with library information Library giveaways like pencils, magnets, reusable bags, etc. Stickers for the kids (a surefire way to draw families to your table!) Library calendar of events\/flyers for upcoming programs Baskets and literature holders for giveaways Tablecloth and banner with library name Scissors and tape…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[105,93,89],"tags":[104],"class_list":["post-1387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogger-susan-baier-bloggers","category-outreach","category-what-i-wasnt-taught-in-library-school","tag-blogger-susan-baier"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/133"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1387"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1387\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}