Collaboration between Local Government & Local Libraries

Kathy Sexton, Derby City Manager

NEKLS Spring Assembly

April 21, 2011 ** Lawrence

Relationships Matter

• You and me

• My story– Family Circle “Top 10 Towns for Families”– 22,158 population; 18th largest city– U.S. News & World Report “50 Best Places to

Retire”

• Who are you?

Build Relationships

• Governing Body

• City & Library staff

• Library Board, Friends, & volunteers

• Schools, parents, churches

• Naysayers, anti-taxers, coffee shop crowd

Respect History

• Our personal stories

• Institutional memories

• Celebrate successes; say “thank you”

• Educate and inform

Understand the Present

• Economy

• Competing demands (do more w/less)

• Civic involvement

• Technology explosion/TMI

• Anti-public sector sentiments

• Difficulty of having civil conversations

• More…

Establish Relevance

• Library’s role

• City’s mission

• Role of each individual

Is the Library Relevant?

• Technology doesn’t replace a library, but it sure changes expectations– 1996: 28% of libraries offered Internet– 2009: Nearly 100%

• Connect to City’s mission– To create vibrant neighborhoods, nurture a

strong business community, and preserve beautiful green spaces.

Citations• Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits

from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries

• Released March 2010; http://tascha.washington.edu/usimpact/OPP4ALL_FinalReport.pdf

• The Information School, University of Washington

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services

• 2009 large-scale study of people who use public library services

How Are You an Advocate?

• The Library matters because…– Kids, after-school activities– Jobs, workforce development, support startups– Third place for adults

• People measure ROI differently

• Why does your library matter?

How Are You an Advocate?

• The Library matters because…– 32% of U.S. population over 14 YOA visited

the library in the past year– 67% of internet users at public libraries

received 1-on-1 help– 63% helped others

• People measure value (ROI) differently

Why Does Your Library Matter?

• The Library matters because…– 40% users got help with employment– 37% focused on health needs– 42% got homework help/educational needs– 60% made social connections

• What is your elevator speech?

Is Your Library Mission-Critical?

• What is your City’s mission?

• “…vibrant neighborhoods,…strong business community,…beautiful green spaces.”

• What does your community value?

• Can you articulate your library’s mission?

Advocacy & Leadership

• Articulate the mission

• Believe in the cause

• Share the enthusiasm

• Demonstrate good judgment in determining when to take action

How to Ensure your Library Makes the List

• Build relationships

• Listen to what the community needs

• Respond

• Tie into the City’s mission

• Tell your story