NCompass Live: Growing Our Future Through Community Engagement

Growing Our Future through Community Engagement October 26, 2011 Joyce Neujahr Nora Hillyer

Vision of Partnership • The University of Nebraska – Omaha Criss Library is currently in the third year of a formalized partnership with the non-profit organization Girls Inc. of Omaha. • Our combined vision: the creation of a viable library for two Girls Inc. campus locations.

Girls Inc. Girls Inc. DemographicsAge groupsFive to Eight..................................................................................... 42%Nine to Eleven ................................................................................. 31%Twelve to Fourteen.......................................................................... 19%Fifteen to Eighteen........................................................................... 8%Ethnic GroupsAfrican American............................................................................. 70%Caucasian......................................................................................... 9%Hispanic............................................................................................ 7%Native American................................................................................ 1%Multiracial.......................................................................................... 9%Other................................................................................................. 4%Girls ServedThrough our Girls Inc. Centers. 884Through Outreach Programs .... 383Boys and Girls ServedThrough “Kid-Ability!”............. 7,126Grand Total............................... 8,393Number of snacks& meals served...................... 63,328

To Date Partnered with Library Science Collection Development Class • Community Analysis of Girls Inc members & researched appropriate educational needs • Evaluation of current collection • Built new collection of recommended resources

To Date Library Science Collection Development Class Outcomes • UNO Students: – Applied library science theory to real-life situation in matching community and books – Gained a sense of responsibility • Girls Inc – Approachable and usable collection that was appealing to their members • UNO Faculty – Increased motivation by students to produce thoughtful selections

To Date Partnered with Library Science Young Adult Services Class and Omaha Public Libraries • 4 books, 48 girls, two weeks, 16 pizzas, 12 dozens cookies • Summer Young Adult Book Club • UNO students led book discussions of realistic fiction titles • Presentation of Public Library services

To Date Summer Young Adult Book Club Outcomes • UNO students gained real life experience in programming for young adults • Assumptions of lower socio-economic lives were challenged • Girls Inc. members became active in utilizing public library resources and programming • Participants this year are next year’s role models

Young Adult Summer Book Club

To Date Putting Good Books in Girls’ Hands Scholastic Book Fair Service Learning Academy Grant Book Club participants each chose a book

Future Sustainable Future • Continued pursuit of funding • Nebraska Cornhusker State Industries, manufacturers of products produced by inmates of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services institutions • Automated Information Library System allowing for circulation of the new collection.

Strategies and ideas for partnering • Big Picture Vision – To connect and engage students’ learning with real life applications and community implications – Evidence for the library being an active partner in community engagement • Multiple partners both on and off campus – Be assertive, they won’t come to you – Be aware, watch the news – Every group has an information need whether they realize it or not • Need a match between curriculum and partner’s goals

Thanks for Listening! Questions? Comments?jneujahr@unomaha.edunhillyer@unomaha.edu

NCompass Live: Growing Our Future Through Community Engagement

by Nebraska Library Commission

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NCompass Live: Growing Our Future Through Community Engagement Presentation Transcript