A community partnership worth a million bucks

Community outreach, especially to young families, was a goal set by Capitol Hill Library staff in 2013. Unbeknownst to us, encouraging public library use was a goal pursued by a team of teachers at Lee Elementary School. When these two goals collided, a beautiful partnership was formed. 

After attending The Promise of Libraries Transforming Communities at the ALA conference this year, Capitol Hill manager Jana Hausburg was inspired to make community outreach a priority. The conference session focused on tools for community outreach, inspired by the book The Work of Hope by Richard C. Harwood. (free download of this book here: http://workofhope.theharwoodinstitute.org/)

“Having intentionality” and “having an outward approach” are just two of the tools presented for community engagement and inspiration.

Katherine Harper, a P.E. Teacher at Lee Elementary, approached us about creating a partnership to facilitate their One Million Word goal, saying, “It takes a community to raise a child. This partnership is an example of the teamwork philosophy that helps to educate and provide quality family time to the students in our community.”

Lee’s initiative, entitled “Pop into a Public Library,” is organized by phases, beginning with encouraging students to get a library card. Harper stated, “16 of 22 classes have reached a goal of 80% of their students receiving public library cards.” Lee teachers record statistics to chart the progress of their initiative. During phase one, Lee’s four preschool classes showed a range of 11%-30% of students who had library cards. At the end of phase 2, the range had increased to 90%-100%! The numbers were similar for higher grade levels as well. This is significant because this school is roughly two blocks from the library, and giving preschoolers access to library cards encourages early literacy and family use of library resources as well.

Circulation Clerk Jonathan Tolle, who processed a large number of the new library card applications, expressed his excitement: “As a result of our recent partnership with Lee Elementary, we are seeing an increase in the number of students using the library and attending programs. Also, Lee Elementary is very proactive in promoting our services which should mean a continued increase in library usage as time goes by.”

Harper said, “One long term goal is that the public library continues to be a source of leisure, recreation, and educational pursuits throughout each student’s life, and that public school employees continue to promote the library and its services to our students and families. Another goal is that the families in our area view the library as a valued resource in raising their children, and to foster a love for reading and learning. “

There has been an increase in attendance at library programs directly related to this initiative. Lego Club and Science Kids were launched this fall, and the approximately 80% of the attendants at first meetings were Lee Elementary students. Lee 4^th graders enjoyed world music during their field trip to hear Melody of China. The Safari Afterschool Homework and Reading Help program surged in popularity with daily numbers rising from around 25 students per day to close to 40. Art in the Afternoon, a Capitol Hill staple, has experienced an evolution in attendance. The monthly arts and crafts classes that were usually attended solely by children are now filled with entire families taking advantage of the chance to spend quality time together and learn new skills. Over Fall and Winter Break, raffle tickets were offered for library attendance with the winner getting a piñata party.

“It has been an exciting time for all of us. This idea, planted in an ALA initiative, has blossomed in our little community library!” said Hausburg.

The success of this partnership is multifaceted, and its impact, though difficult to calculate in hard data, is sure to have lasting effects on the students and this community. There are plans to continue the Pop into a Public Library initiative over Spring Break, and during the summer months as well. As the Children’s Services librarian at Capitol Hill, I am looking forward to going to Lee Elementary in May and presenting the Summer Reading Game (now with online sign-up!) and seeing the familiar faces who have now become regular library users. And this partnership doesn’t stop with Lee. Why just last week, a teacher from Wheeler Elementary contacted me with a similar partnership goal in mind!

Ensuring a welcoming experience, satisfying curiosities and encouraging lifelong learning, providing access to information, and connecting to the online world -- I think we have that covered!