In Concert Building Valuable Community Partnerships
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Transcript of In Concert Building Valuable Community Partnerships
IN CONCERTBUILDING VALUABLE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPSANDREA COFFIN, COMMUNITY LIAISON / SERVICE SPECIALIST, WILS
MARIA ESCALANTE, LIBRARY DIRECTOR, COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATION
JILL GLOVER, DIRECTOR, LUCK PUBLIC LIBRARY
TOM CARSON, HEAD OF REFERENCE SERVICES, KENOSHA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Building Valuable Community
Partnerships
Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries!May 7 – 9, 2014
Blue Harbor Resort and Spa in Sheboygan, WI
Maria EscalanteLibrary Director
College of Menominee NationS. Verna Fowler Academic Library /
Menominee Public Library
CMN Library Growth
1996 – 1998Occupied ½ of a trailer
Fall 1998 – Summer 2008Occupied Lower level area of Shirley Daly Hall on CampusApproximately 2,000 square feet
CMN Library Growth
• Library becomes a stand alone building, August 2008 , work is done in phases
• Library is named “S. Verna Fowler Academic Library,” fall 2012
• Academic merges with Menominee Public Library December 2012
Why a merger?
Menominee Public Library was looking to hire a new director
I requested a merger to combine the two libraries
The College President Dr Fowler & Menominee tribal leadership were in favor
Gives the community a larger library with more programming and resources
Consolidates community resources
Allows the college to have access to funding for public libraries
Building Community Interest
“If you build it they will come…”
In order to build partnerships we had to attract the community
The library hosted events like this, targeted for the community
Building Community Interest
To appeal to youth I selected a creative image for the youth library card
Children come in wanting a library card because it is so unique
Also worked with Menominee Transit to allow the library card to work for a free ride from the library to their home
Building Community
Interest Nine DIYs in April & May 2013
to draw people in Building community partners,
drew on expertise of CMN faculty, staff, UW Extension, community as presenters
Building Community Interest
As the library was invited to have a booth at community events we set up a wading pool with “fossils”
Digging for fossils with “Fossil Phil” was a perfect way to advertise our participation in the summer reading program
Wonderful interactive event for the library
Building Community Interest
The College of Menominee Nation participated in the state wide “Get up and go” event
The library had an activity that kept children moving, and helped advertise library activities, including the summer reading program
Building Collections
As an academic library I did not have the materials that appealed to the community
Added popular DVDs, popular fiction, children’s materials (books, toys, xbox, etc)
As our patron base grows so do opportunities for partnerships
Menominee Tribal Library Statistics Reported on DPI annual report2012 Total Annual Circulation 1820
2013 Merge Libraries CirculationCommunity 5983Child, Community 1105 7088
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CommunityChild, community
Community Partnerships
Semester Community Reads With Public library status ~
contact the Aging Division to get books to the senior centers
Community really looks forward to our next book & author event
Story times Stockbridge Head start
contacted us after the merger to bring kids
Community Partnerships
Special Collections (Archives) made connections at our Community reception which led to requests for presentations in Fall 2013, and to be present at a Youth Speak Event
10/17/2013
MIHS - Intro Special Collections, especially Treaty of 1848 materialsClass 1 19
10/17/2013
MIHS - Intro Special Collections, especially Treaty of 1848 materialsClass 2 17
11/7/2013
Special Collection Open House showcasing print & digital photo collections 31
12/6/2013
Presentation to MIHS Faculty on SC Termination/Restoration materials 25
12/6/2013Library booth at Youth Speak event 100
Institutional Partnerships
To draw in the younger crowd I purchased outside games like Giant Jenga for family events
Giant Jenga has worked perfect for high school tours, much better than the paper scavenger hunts we used to do, now we are a stop for high school tours
11/14/2013
MIHS Campus Tour - stop at library for games & fun 100
11/19/2013
Oneida, Pulaski student campus tour - stop at library for games & fun 30
Institutional Partnerships
The Teacher Education Department has a grant and works with the head start
As part of a collaboration with the head start and the library they held a literacy event in the library in the fall & spring for families
Head start teachers, CMN students, and head start families attended
Some head start teachers and families had never been to the library before
Institutional Partnerships and
beyond For a recent grant the library
partnered with the Community Technology Center (CTC) on campus for creative work on literacy with families
Granting agency suggested we partner with UW Madison
This grant (IMLS – National Leadership) has broadened our knowledge of the literacy issues of children under 5
It has allowed us to work with someone outside our community & has brought new perspectives
Has really led the way for me to get even more pro-active in seeking community partners
Institutional Partnershipsand beyond
So far we have had a meeting with potential community partners Menominee Tribal School Menominee Indian School District Rep Menominee Daycare Community Resource Center (CRC) :
work with families in programs like TANF, job training, food share, badger care, summer youth program
This was a focused meeting on a specific issue & let me know what they needed & how we could work together
Sharing experiences from Appleton & Oneida Public Libraries brought new ideas & possibilities for staff
Starting programming in May with toddlers on Tuesdays & teens on Thursdays Every week age groups will
be at the library alternating with the CTC
Keys to our success
Partners that had a similar goal
People that had the time to work with us
We provided library staff to support our ideas
We provided funding We listened to what they felt
was important and we tailored our programming to meet their needs
Lucky PartnersThe Luck, Wisconsin Public
Library and Historical Museum Working Together
Jill Glover
Luck, Wisconsin
70 miles from Twin CitiesPopulation 1200
Lake Country
1850's Rest StopIn "Luck" to get 1/2 way
Luck Grows and Changes
Indian scession treaties open land for settlement 1870’s Danish immigration brings dairy farming Soo Line R.R. reaches Luck in 1900 Duncan Yo-Yo “capital” from 1946-1965 Family dairy farms give way to large farms Recreation industry gathers importance Wood products industry a main stay Luck becomes tied to Twin Cities metropolitan area –
population 1200.
Incorporated 1905
The Small Old Library
Ground Breaking 2007
The Finished Building Design
Library space (main floor, meeting room, break room and office) - 47%
Museum (and work/storage) - 35% Public areas (lavatories, lobby) – 17% Mechanical – 1%
Building for the Future
Other Things to Consider
The lot and building are owned by the village of Luck but were built with private donations
The public library is operated with local, county and state tax dollars
The Museum is self supporting through grants, donations and museum sales
Building decisions are made by a committee of the Luck Public Works Director and representatives of the Library and Historical Society Boards
Benefits of living together
Synergy of sharing space and ideas Better drawing power for both Cost savings by sharing space and equipment Able to plan and offer better and more varied programs and
activities Large group programs possible with flexible space in the
museum
Successful Things We have Done Together
Partner to show classic free movies Cooperatively sponsored Civil War speakers Offer shared seasonal events eg. Lucky Days, Winter
Carnival, visit from Santa, etc. Shared space for adult exercise classes Provide space for census training Make space available for community meetings (non
political) Provide space for Luck Senior Class Art Show Give programs for school and community field trips
Key Elements of Success
Strong rapport established during building project Friendly, cooperative staffs Broad community support Gathering point for the community Central Main Street location Open six days a week Facilities available for community activities Provides the only convenient public rest rooms on Main St. Available wireless high speed internet access Ability to accept the fact that things won’t always go exactly
the way you might like
Possible Pitfalls With Cohabitation
Don’t expect the library staff to watch the museum Importance of keeping library and museum budgets completely
separate Difficulty of determining a fair and equitable division building
operating costs Carefully planned billing procedure Coordination of schedules What if one partner defaults?
KENOSHA AND THE BIG READ
Making Community Connections and Lasting Partnerships
About Kenosha Public Library
Service population of 135,000 4 neighborhood branches, 1 Bookmobile 71,000 registered library cardholders 2013 circulation, 1.2 million
About the Big Read
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts
Designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
Application requirements
Grant application process is straightforward Programming around themes of a specific book
Kick-off event Book discussions Book distributions Development of partnerships
Our 1st Big Read 2010
• Our first selection was The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
We started planning six months before the application was due.
Major requirement of the grant is to partner with local organizations.
Where do we start?
Planning-1st Big Read
What organizations would be a good fit? Are their missions similar to the Library’s? How would they participate?
Distribution point? Host an event?
1st Big Read
Developed partnerships with Friends of the Kenosha Public Library, Kenosha Public Library Foundation, Kenosha Unified School District, Kenosha History Center, Kenosha Public Museum, Lemon Street Gallery, Kenosha County Job Center, Carthage College, Kenosha County Detention Center
Grapes of Wrath
Grapes of Wrath
Huge success! Gave away 1200 copies of the title The Kenosha Literacy Council incorporated The Grapes of
Wrath into its jail program, using the book to improve inmates’ reading comprehension and writing skills.
Inspired other organizations to join us for our next Big Read
The Big Read 2012
Sun, Stone, and Shadows: 20 Mexican Short Stories edited by Jorge Hernandez
Sun, Stone, and Shadows
New partnership with the Boys and Girls club
Stronger ties with Bradford High School
Family Literacy Night at the Kenosha Literacy Council
Julia Durango visits Uptown Library
Children’s Author Visit
Click icon to add picture
Rewards
New partnerships created between other organizations
Stronger partnerships with Kenosha Literacy Council, Kenosha Unified School District and UW-Parkside
2013 Big Read – Edgar Allan Poe
Most successful Big Read
Our most successful Big Read!
KENOSHA. POE. 2013. The Big Read Retur ns to Kenosha October 2013! What could be creepier (or more fun!) than Edgar Allan Poe during October? Join the Kenosha Public Library for a whole month of eerily enticing performances, book discussions, art exhibits, lectures,
family fun, and special events to explore “Great Tales and Poems” by Edgar Allan Poe. For a complete listing of events, visit www.mykpl.info, find us on Facebook, or visit www.neabigread.org. A complete Big Read Event Guide will be available in September.
The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Poe Kick-Off Event
Click icon to add picture
Green Bay Packers provided incentives for people to participate in the Big Read
Kenosha Literacy Council
By the numbers
31 partnerships with local organizations and businesses
60 total programs included: 14 book discussions 4 lectures 6 art exhibits 4 theatrical performances 6 film events 3 workshops 2 open mic events 5 programs for teens 8 programs for kids & their families 1 bus trip 1 bake sale 1 original opera And other programs of all kinds.
Lemon Street Gallery provides a rotating art collection for all our buildings
Rewards of Partnerships
Click icon to add picture
Rewards of Partnerships
Our partnership was featured on the NEA Big Read national blog
Also featured on the website, Library as Incubator Project
Worked with us on the Big Yarn
What does the phrase “library as incubator” mean to you?
“Libraries have always been incubators. Essentially, that is exactly what they are. They are the neighborhood pub for thinkers. They are the grocery store for the curious.” Melanie Hovey, Lemon Street Gallery
Art from Lemon Street Gallery
More Art From Lemon Street Gallery
The Big Yarn
Click icon to add picture
Big Yarn
Yarn Bombing
Lessons
Starts with a conversation Everyone loves the library
Plan early and plan for the unexpected Mix-ups will happen Try to get written agreements between the library and
participating partners Partnerships are part of our new strategic plan
Apply, Apply, Apply
Grant process is simple Encourages your library to get out into the community The Big Read staff is awesome. They want you to
succeed.
The Big Read @ the Kenosha Public Library
2010 – Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 2012 – Sun Stone and Shadows: 20
Mexican Short Stories edited by Jorge Hernandez
2013 – Short Stories and Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe
2014 – Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, UW–Parkside
2015 – To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (tentative)
QUESTIONS?