There's no question that we live in tumultuous times marked by entrenched political division. Librarians sometimes find themselves caught in the crosshairs, but it's important to keep in mind that libraries serve a higher purpose.
Emily Drabinski, then president of the American Library Association, reminded us that in her introduction to the ALA's State of America's Libraries Report this past spring:
As we continue to work together toward the better world we all know is possible, let’s remember that we are all in this together. Across party lines and across the political spectrum, the vast majority of people love their libraries for the ordinary and extraordinary work we do each day: connecting people to reading and resources, building businesses and communities, expanding literacy across the lifespan, and making great Saturday afternoons.
A 2023 report from the Canadian Urban Institute points out that libraries, by their nature and because they are located at the center of communities, serve a variety of needs in a way that no other public institution truly can. In a single day, the report states, a public library might be:
a place to access culture and information;
a refuge from domestic violence;
an election information or polling center;
a job search facility;
a health clinic;
a place to warm up or cool down;
a language learning center for newcomers;
a place to attend free university classes or concerts; and
a space for babies, children, caregivers and youth to make friends and form a community.
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Public libraries have a unique opportunity to serve their communities in diverse ways beyond traditional book lending. The local branch serves as a hub where community members can gather, interact and engage in various activities. Here are several creative and practical strategies for attracting new patrons and increasing engagement with existing users:
According to the American Library Association website, "As champions of lifelong learning, libraries are a place to quench curiosity, access technology and explore new ideas, hobbies and careers."
Libraries offer a vital space for continuous personal growth, providing access to an array of books, technology and workshops. Library users committed to their own development use these resources for research and skill acquisition.
Many libraries host free workshops on topics like digital literacy, financial planning and resume writing. They might also invite local authors to read from and discuss their work, or host themed book clubs to foster a sense of community and discussion.
Regular storytime sessions, along with reading programs for kids and teens, attract families.
To boost engagement — especially with Gen Z and millennial patrons, post regularly on social media platforms to share events, new arrivals, library services and success stories.
Harness the power of good old-fashioned email to send newsletters to patrons, including event details, new programs and highlights of special resources.
Create a modern, mobile-friendly website with easy access to catalogs, events, online resources and library cards, and consider offering patrons a user-friendly mobile app.
To serve patrons who prefer online interaction to in-person events in physical spaces, host virtual book clubs, workshops and classes.
By forming alliances with various community organizations, libraries can significantly boost community engagement and contribute to the overall well-being of the neighborhoods they serve.
Imagine the possibilities when local nonprofits, community centers, schools, government agencies and businesses come together with libraries to create a network of support and resources.
Enhanced community engagement and collaboration can result in innovative programs and events that attract diverse audiences. By sharing resources and expertise, libraries and their partners can achieve more than they could individually, ensuring that offerings are better aligned with the unique needs of the community.
In collaboration with community partners, many libraries do some or all of the following:
Partner with local schools, non-profits, and businesses to host events and outreach programs.
Sponsor or co-host local festivals, fairs and markets, bringing library resources to the community.
Display art by local artists, offer a meeting space for writers' groups or host local theater performances.
You serve a diverse community; ensure that your library's collection reflects this, including books in multiple languages and a broad range of genres and topics.
Offer digital resources including eBooks, audiobooks, online classes and research tools and databases. Empower curious minds by giving patrons access to the thousands of global newspapers and magazines available on PressReader.
Libraries with the space and budget can set up a makerspace, where patrons can participate in classes or explore various DIY activities, including 3D printing, coding, crafting and other hands-on projects.
Vancouver Public Library's Inspiration Lab (at VPL's Central Library branch) is a "free space dedicated to digital creativity, collaboration and storytelling". The Inspiration Lab allows patrons to:
Record professional-quality audio and video in a recording studio
Convert photographs, slides, audio cassette tapes, VHS tapes, and 8mm video cassette tapes into digital file formats at a Digitization Station
Edit and create images, audio, video, eBooks and other digital materials using specialized software on one of the library's Creation Stations
The interior and environmental design of a library are vital ingredients in making it a pleasant place to be. No matter how it’s decorated, a library will always play an important role in a community as a free, safe, public space to gather, but a beautiful, comfortable, engaging atmosphere will go a long way to attracting more visitors. In fact, interior design has even been proven to have a powerful impact on mood, health and happiness.
The same elements that are carefully considered to make new-wave coffee shops lovely places to linger can be applied to library design to invite patrons to step in and stay a while. Think about incorporating comfortable furniture, natural lighting and a feeling of spaciousness — and try to tie in materials and finishes that spark joy or soothe the senses.
A truly inclusive library space must be welcoming to all patrons, regardless of any physical challenges or learning disabilities. This begins with library buildings and extends to the resources and technologies available within them.
In a position paper titled "Guidelines on Library and Information Services for People with Disabilities", the Canadian Federation of Library Associations notes that in order to successfully deliver services to members with disabilities, public libraries must understand community needs and be able to provide options.
Enabling patrons to connect with the services of their local library should be rooted in principles of inclusion and respect for the needs of the individual.
A number of library professionals in recent years have begun to explore ways to make library spaces more accessible for neurodiverse individuals, including those on the autism spectrum.
To help meet this need for neurodiverse children and their families, a research team at the University of Washington has released an online resource, “Autism-Ready Libraries Toolkit,” that seeks to “empower youth-serving librarians and library staff with the early literacy training and programming materials they need to provide autism-inclusive early literacy services.”
This kit includes a checklist to help library workers identify and mitigate or remove sensory and physical access barriers within library spaces. Suggestions include offering quiet areas in the library for the use of individuals with auditory sensitivities, and ensuring that there is a wide and clear path from the entry way and around each designated area in the library.
In recent years, few people have been as vocal in their support for public libraries as Eric Klinenberg.
The Helen Gould Shepard Professor in the Social Sciences and director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University, Klinenberg is also the author of Palaces for the People, in which he advocates passionately for social infrastructure as a means to fight inequality, polarization and the decline of civic life.
In his book, Klinenberg reports on the important role that schools, parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, churches, community centers and barbershops play in keeping citizens engaged. He says it's the public library, however, that has the greatest potential for connecting people.
In an article he wrote for his publisher's website, Klinenberg noted the following:
During my research, I learned that libraries are not only important for providing books, films, internet access, and other vital information, but also for ensuring a neighborhood’s vitality and promoting stronger social ties. Palaces for the People — a term I borrow from Andrew Carnegie, the great sponsor and champion of libraries around the world — reports on all kinds of surprising programs one finds in modern libraries: virtual bowling leagues for older people who might otherwise stay home alone; early literacy programs for bilingual children and families that can’t afford books; karaoke sessions where children with disabilities sing along with elders who are looking for meaningful daily activities; morning tea-times for unemployed men who are striving to find dignity and respect.
By using the strategies outlined above, public libraries can create a vibrant, engaging space that not only brings in new patrons but also keeps existing users coming back.