Outreach and Community Building, Various Libraries
Always Ongoing!
My passion for creating and strengthening relationships is one of my greatest strengths as a leader. I also believe it is one of the most powerful tools for library advocacy. When individuals, organizations, businesses, and communities work together, we create dynamic solutions for the whole community that none of us could have accomplished alone. I love that spark of possibility!
Of course, relationships also allow libraries to do more with less, to share our resources when money, staffing, or space is limited. Not only is that a powerful benefit for the library, but it is also a significant step towards building a stronger, more resilient community. I have built relationships that strengthen the local economy, support a national movement towards freedom of information, pack the room for a hot-topic discussion, help individuals make healthier choices, and more. A few examples are below.
* I am currently working with a community group to start a Maker Space. The Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) will bring together the artistic and technical talents of our community into a single shared space. The library could not afford or make room for a facility this large and well-equipped on its own, and the group benefits from the library's understanding of makerspaces, the availability of our librarians to teach classes, and the use of our books and materials to support the arts and science disciplines sharing the space.
* I approached the Housing Resources Board, a nonprofit that encourages housing diversity in our community. We put together a speaker series on hot topics in housing, such a small footprint homes and green building. The first event was standing-room only!
* I worked with a local career counselor to provide one-on-one sessions with job seekers at the library. Although she already offered similar services through a social service agency and her private business, some job seekers were unwilling to turn to what they perceived as a charity. However, they are thrilled to utilize her services at the library!
* I partnered with the organization Unglue.it, which seeks to create a new paradigmn for DRM-free ebooks, to promote the ungluing of a book. The author of the book did a community reading of her newest title at a library program, where unglue.it and ebooks were promoted and discussed.
* I have approached a new business in our downtown core, Intentional Table, that seeks to build community around shared cooking and eating. We are just beginning to explore what we can do together!
* I ensure that the library maintains a presence at community events. The image you clicked to enter this page was at an orientation fair for engineering college students. I also connected the Bainbridge library with a new and popular Bluegrass festival on our island. These are just a few small examples of the many ways I make sure the library is visible across the community.
For more examples, see the Programs page. I can't wait to discover the possibilities in your community!
Of course, relationships also allow libraries to do more with less, to share our resources when money, staffing, or space is limited. Not only is that a powerful benefit for the library, but it is also a significant step towards building a stronger, more resilient community. I have built relationships that strengthen the local economy, support a national movement towards freedom of information, pack the room for a hot-topic discussion, help individuals make healthier choices, and more. A few examples are below.
* I am currently working with a community group to start a Maker Space. The Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) will bring together the artistic and technical talents of our community into a single shared space. The library could not afford or make room for a facility this large and well-equipped on its own, and the group benefits from the library's understanding of makerspaces, the availability of our librarians to teach classes, and the use of our books and materials to support the arts and science disciplines sharing the space.
* I approached the Housing Resources Board, a nonprofit that encourages housing diversity in our community. We put together a speaker series on hot topics in housing, such a small footprint homes and green building. The first event was standing-room only!
* I worked with a local career counselor to provide one-on-one sessions with job seekers at the library. Although she already offered similar services through a social service agency and her private business, some job seekers were unwilling to turn to what they perceived as a charity. However, they are thrilled to utilize her services at the library!
* I partnered with the organization Unglue.it, which seeks to create a new paradigmn for DRM-free ebooks, to promote the ungluing of a book. The author of the book did a community reading of her newest title at a library program, where unglue.it and ebooks were promoted and discussed.
* I have approached a new business in our downtown core, Intentional Table, that seeks to build community around shared cooking and eating. We are just beginning to explore what we can do together!
* I ensure that the library maintains a presence at community events. The image you clicked to enter this page was at an orientation fair for engineering college students. I also connected the Bainbridge library with a new and popular Bluegrass festival on our island. These are just a few small examples of the many ways I make sure the library is visible across the community.
For more examples, see the Programs page. I can't wait to discover the possibilities in your community!
