Urban Library Section – Brainstorming Session - 2008

 

What are the biggest challenges faced in the urban library setting?

            Issues of poverty; serving families below poverty level

            Shrinking middle class

            Aging facilities; not “green” buildings

            Acceleration of gang violence and drugs

            Undocumented immigrants – public perception of this group

            Safety for patrons and staff

            Technology – digitization (shell game); sustainable technology

            New populations, new immigrant groups

            Advocacy – perception of library

            *Many city libraries are above 1/3 mill

                        Budgets are being reduced

                        Legislative challenges

            Economic downturn leads to increased use

            Employee (union) contracts

            Civil Service

            Parking; transportation

What role?

            Reach out for deaf, hard of hearing – services for blind

            “Latchkey” – after school, homework club, SMART

            Technology Center

                        Wireless

                        High Speed

                        Fafsa, e-government, job applications

                        Email

                                    Geico

                                    Other countries

            Collections in other languages

            Collections dedicated to populations

            E-Government

            Keeper of historical collections

            Programs for handicapped, differently challenged

            Gathering place concept

            Fax machine

            Notary

            Outreach – health department, county colleges

            Literacy, ESL,

Conversation club

New reader book club

            Community center

                        Meeting space

                        Displays

                        Programming

            Clubs/Activities

            Economic Development

                        Redevelopment

                        Need to be involved in community; positions on Boards, etc.

            Symbol of democracy

                        Level the playing field

Partnerships

            School District

                        Textbook collection

                        Advisory Board participation

                        First Day – Library participants

                        Club Success

                        SMART kids

                        Board representation

                        Early Childhood advisory Council – Preschool

                        Children’s librarians visit schools

                        Promotion – flyers

                        Community service hours

                        Homeschools

                        GED

                        Staff development days

                        “One Kid, One Card”

                        Internet-only cards

                        Headstart

            Senior Center/Nursing Homes/Senior Housing

            Business Partnerships – e.g., Newark

            Sports Teams (Devils)

            Corporate partnerships (Books for an Evening) and sponsors (Applebees)

            Community agencies

            Historical Commission and Arts Commission

Outreach

            Schools, etc.

                        Need for designated staff to handle well

                        Buy in from volunteers

            Monmouth University – Anthropology professor surveyed community to create a

Profile

            Outreach linked to partnerships

                        Think strategically about partnerships, exp., Chamber of Commerce

            Connecting with people/groups throughout the community

            Example – Ocean County Library’s Diversity Plan

NJLA/State Library/State government

            State Library – Adding an urban library specialist

                        Partnering with other state agencies to find opportunities, e.g., energy

 

Define an Urban Public Library

            Established for more years than non-urban libraries

            Low educational level of population

            Low economic status of population

            Minorities make up more than 50% of population

            Significant population density

            Transportation issues – especially as related to library locations

                        # of licensed taxis

                        # of cars

 

Celebrate achievements, despite challenges

Workable ideas (partnerships)