Beyond the Walls: OUTREACH
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Transcript of Beyond the Walls: OUTREACH
Beyond the Walls: OUTREACH
By Maria Gentle and Mariela Aguilar
April 2009
OUTREACH: What is it?Effort by individuals in an organization or
group to connect its ideas or practices to the efforts of other organizations, groups, specific audiences or the general public.
Goal: engagement (not just dissemination or education)
Strategies: linked to the organization’s mission, and definite targets, goals, and milestones.
Non-profits, civic groups, churches.
SIX STEPS TO CREATING A LIBRARY OUTREACH
PROGRAM
Identify the underserved areas of your community
Locate social service agencies and/or community groups currently working in underserved areas
Develop a plan to implement library outreach service
SIX STEPS TO CREATING A LIBRARY OUTREACH PROGRAM
Contact potential partners
Develop a program
Implement a program
STEPS FOR DEVELOPING A LIBRARY OUTREACH PROGRAM
See the BIG PICTURE
Hire the best
Get staff the best training you can
Listen to your potential users
Don’t do it alone
STEPS FOR CREATING A LIBRARY OUTREACH
PROGRAM
Network
Get involved in the profession
Get ownership of outreach services from all library staff
Gather information that helps you justify your service
Change and evolve as situations demand
STEPS FOR CREATING A LIBRARY OUTREACH PROGRAM
Promote your services well
Learn about community development
SOME PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Story programs at local daycares and schools
Participation in existing school and community literacy events
Involvement in local special events
SOME PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Storytelling and/or library presentations at family/community resource centers and schools
Participation in after school programs
Develop and “Alert” and/or “Table of Contents” service
Provide activities for people with special needs
SOME PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Made the library’s catalog available 24/7 to everyone through the web
Provide a library webpage
Organize reading clubs in different community locations
Develop programs to assist with career preparation in schools
Etc, etc, etc…
For more information…
Visit ALA’s Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS): http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/olos/index.cfm
QUESTIONS?