2023-11-27 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 15, Issue 6
Featured Story
Outreach Librarians – Our Experience
The outreach team at Caldwell has grown and with that our collective knowledge has also expanded. So I decided to ask some of my team members what it is like for them to be an Outreach Librarian and what key things to remember for when we are getting tasks done. Our territory is Caldwell and its surrounding area, which includes Farmway Village (Caldwell Housing Authority) and other areas that fall into county zoning instead of city zoning.
From me: Some things that I always keep in mind is remembering that we have a lot of ground to cover, and these small details make a difference sometimes in whether we do library card sign ups or free giveaway options instead. Knowing the community you serve is probably on the top of my list for effective outreach. Second on the list is knowing what areas are within easy access or walking distance to our library, and what areas fall into a harder area for people to come in. If we have hard working parents who can’t always make it to our library for programs, we may be offering them an experience that is valuable and new by doing activities at their schools or in their neighborhoods. Thank goodness for all of our amazing partners that invite us out to their events so that we have these opportunities!
Leslie, part of the outreach team at Caldwell, says this: We recently had one of our monthly outreach programs where we were also going to do library card sign ups. I was so focused on making sure I brought our hotspot that when we arrived at our location to set up, I realized I forgot my laptop that had access to Polaris Leap for library card registration. I was somewhat relieved that we didn’t have folks join our program because I forgot my laptop, but a bit dejected for the low turnout. This experience as well as others before have taught me that you will forget things, but just know it’s okay and you can work with what you have or problem solve on the spot with what resources you have. Presence matters and even if it’s a low turnout, you’ve made an impact on those you were able to interact with. Lastly, the power of partnerships with other community organizations is ineffable.
Rosie, our new Youth Services Outreach Assistant, says the following: As the youth services outreach assistant at Caldwell Library, my experience has been incredibly rewarding. Collaborating with a growing team, we’ve learned so much about the diverse communities we serve, including Farmway Village. Understanding the community’s needs is crucial, and we tailor our outreach efforts accordingly, whether it’s library card sign-ups or free giveaways. Accessibility matters too, so we bring library programs to schools and community centers for those who can’t make it to the library. Our partnerships with local organizations are a game-changer, providing us with amazing opportunities to engage with more people and make a positive impact. I’m thrilled to continue this journey, spreading the love for the library and creating lasting connections with the people of Caldwell and beyond.
By Monique Gaddy
Fail Forward
We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.
Movie Program Pains
Earlier this year I wrote about re-launching my library’s monthly movie program. Half a year later, and I have to admit it totally flopped. Our average attendance across 6 movie showings was 1.5, with no growth over time. It may be a problem with promotion, but I also suspect that my community doesn’t have much appetite for documentary films.
When attendance is low like this, I can get demoralized. So rather than paddle upstream, I’ve canceled the program. I’m going to re-launch the program this winter, with a fresh promotional push and a lineup of classic films. Iteration is my watchword!
Crush Corner
Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!
Can I Get Fries with That?
Blackfoot Public Library, nestled underneath the Blackfoot City Hall on Broadway, has for the past thirty-five years been a great asset to the community. Like all public libraries, they are underfunded and overworked, but nevertheless they continue to provide fantastic customer service to their patrons.
The latest addition to their library, and the focus of this crush is their drive-up window. The drive-up window was first proposed by Lisa Harral over twenty years ago. Twenty years and two directors later, Lisa, now the director, and her board were able to bring the dream to fruition. While they don’t serve ice cream or fries from the drive-up window, patrons in a hurry can swing by the library and pick up their library materials. The Drive-up window is also a great addition for those who are mobility challenged.
If you are ever in the neighborhood, stop by and see the Blackfoot Public Library and their nifty window!
By Robert Wright
SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at https://libraries.idaho.gov/splat/
SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-253624-OLS-23). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.