This document summarizes an online chat discussion about developing community partnerships for libraries. Participants shared many examples of successful partnerships their libraries have formed, including with schools, local businesses, government organizations, and community groups. Ideas discussed setting up memorial donations from patrons, partnering with job assistance non-profits, having sports teams visit for programs, and more. The discussion emphasized relationship-building and finding ways for partnerships to mutually benefit both the library and its community partners.

1. Developing Effective Community Partnerships: Chat Transcript (May 2018)
1:39:07 PM There are no free lunches!
1:46:07 PM no
1:46:08 PM No!
1:46:12 PM Our library recieved over $2 million from a will.
1:46:12 PM Yes
1:46:12 PM no
1:46:14 PM yes
1:46:15 PM Yes.
1:46:20 PM No
1:46:21 PM no (but part of large system)
1:46:25 PM Yes
1:46:56 PM A couple from our community has set up an endownent that provides a donation each
year, and we have received smaller amounts from several former patrons.
1:47:03 PM A patron with a passion for genealogy will bequeth his lifetime's research work to our
library, essentially doubling our genealogy collection.
1:47:06 PM I must say I've just started in the library 2 weeks ago.
1:47:20 PM The person grew up in our county, was very passionate about family history. Her
donation will be used to add a Family History and Learning Center to our main branch.
1:47:35 PM Does the public library have to have a separate foundation established in order to
receive monies from someone that passes away?
1:47:37 PM had family request donations in memory of individual be given to the library
1:48:16 PM We gave naming rights to rooms, and such at our new facilites being built- that gives us
as a library the ability to "upgrade" the facilities
1:48:27 PM Actually, we do have an annual kids essay contest set up by family of deceased avid
reader. They give out cash prizes each year.
1:50:18 PM We receive quite a few memorial donations in order to place books in memory of
donors' loved ones.

2. 1:56:39 PM What type of programs do the sports teams do with the library?
1:57:37 PM Our local team mascot visits during our summer reading program for photos and a
special sports storytime
1:58:40 PM Yes, so easy when you think about it. That would work here.
2:01:48 PM we have first repsonders come and do progams for kids and teens in uniform to build
good will between the community
2:02:02 PM My library partners with several places. Two that are well developed are with a non-
proffit job help organization and the piblic schools. The non-proffit job has done job fairs, resume help,
financial classes and more with adults and teens. We also partner with the school system for Battle of
the Books, student art displays in the library and teen interns over the summer.
2:04:23 PM I could never be a salesperson.....NEVER......I believe in my library and what it does in
our community......it's EASY to sell the library, when you believe in what you do.
2:06:40 PM Build the relationship first. I like that then feel the fear and do it.... For us, we may be
too artificial, that's why it's fearful because we (here) are not building the real relationships first.
2:08:05 PM Since we are a "county" public library most folks think that we are supported by the
county and should be able to ask and receive whatever we might need from said county.........doesn't
work that way here
2:12:51 PM We are partnering with several entities to put on political candidate forums
2:13:14 PM my library has a template for written agreements approved by our city attorney- makes
it really easy to have get that written agreement and timeline you mentioned- memorandum of
agreement
2:13:18 PM Are these articles available online?
2:13:37 PM Our partners include school system, both local newspapers, radio stations, civic clubs,
and action groups.
2:15:06 PM Thank you!
2:15:51 PM That's here in Australia,!! yey
2:18:09 PM We are in the midst of a huge renovation project. Our community has many
manufacturing companies relating to the automotive industry. We did a presentation for the Economic
Development Board and created a "news show" showcasing technology that we will have in our new
space that will benefit them, such as green screen technology, 3D printers, etc.
2:18:40 PM Joined Chamber, Kiwanis, Summer Feeding Program with out school system, which all
gave us opportunities for collaboration.

3. 2:18:52 PM We have started working more with Parent Teacher organizations, since parents are the
driving force behind getting kids to the library and participating in programs
2:18:55 PM We've been able to partner with organization for a "one book one community" program
where each organization promotes a book and creates events around that book, with an author event
2:19:24 PM We partner with school libraries to offer our summer reading program throughout the
summer at the elementary schools.
2:19:33 PM we visit senior living facilities to talk about what we can offer and host other local non-
profits in our buildings such as Alz Assoc, etc...We attend naturalization ceremonies as well
2:19:35 PM we've also done a "show your library card" for a discount from local businesses in
February, when business is sometimes slower
2:19:45 PM We have a new Makerspace and we've shared the new technology available video
equipment and green screens with local businesses.
2:20:15 PM Programs at preschools/schools; annual community-wide reading program and author
visits; books at the jail; staff involvement/board service for community organizations
2:20:36 PM We have a weekly free concert featuring local musicians and this has brought a lot of
attention and support to us from local businesses (especially some of the ones where musicians have
their day jobs.)
2:20:40 PM our library card will get you a free ride to any branch on our public transportation
system bus routes
2:21:06 PM at this very moment we have chicks we incubated donated by 4h
2:21:10 PM Wow, free bus ride to the library.
2:21:11 PM Displays of local artists (work available for sale)
2:22:02 PM Excellent!
2:22:23 PM We have our mystery book club meetings at a local sports bar which gives us more
visibility. The owner of the bar is our newest book club member, and the only male.
2:24:28 PM We have a digital newsletter and we feature articles on the Band Boosters, the Beta
Club, the Lion's Club.....it serves two purposes, it gives those groups more exposure and those club
members subscribe to our digital newsletter
2:24:50 PM To better foster partnerships, we need to do a better job of asking what we can do for
them instead of the opposite.

4. 2:24:55 PM as we have done renovations here in Dayton, we have had a variety of local business
host events- lots of churches opened their doors for childrens events and job seekers events
2:25:06 PM I agree Kathy.
2:26:38 PM https://www.cc-pl.org/community/library-community-partners
2:26:51 PM http://arlingtonlibrary.org/community-partnerships/
2:27:15 PM Love the scavenger hunt idea. I work with Older Adults and think that would work with
my Alz patrons as a group activity
2:28:02 PM That does sound like fun!
2:33:07 PM https://www.davidleeking.com/ the website Paul mentioned
2:34:54 PM http://www.ala.org/tools/research/librariesmatter/category/social-role-library
2:35:16 PM Love the tree idea!
2:35:23 PM me too!
2:39:22 PM Our bookmobile driver goes to the pre-k center every other Friday to do storytimes-
since the preschool program has expanded, our library storytime attendance has plummeted, but the
bookmobile outreach allows us to continue serving those 3 and 4 year olds.
2:42:21 PM other city organizations are also great partners- we partner with human services to help
with our homeless. they will come into the library where the homeless are and help them apply for
resources
2:42:47 PM Jessica, we need to look into that kind of partnership as well.
2:43:26 PM No
2:43:26 PM No
2:43:27 PM no
2:43:27 PM no
2:43:28 PM no
2:43:30 PM no
2:43:31 PM no
2:43:32 PM no

5. 2:43:36 PM Heard of it but not what it is exactly.
2:43:37 PM no
2:43:40 PM no
2:46:12 PM Library as incubator project: http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/
2:47:30 PM Love the lended artwork idea!
2:49:47 PM Anyone and everyone!
2:50:08 PM Schools, Chamber of Commerce, business groups.
2:50:09 PM i am looking to partner with master gardners for a community garden
2:50:12 PM We are working with local military recruiter who is doing some classes on job
interviews/resume writing, etc.
2:50:25 PM visting nurses, local businesses, small business owners, local artists
2:50:29 PM also, local jails/prisons for re-entry programs
2:50:47 PM We are currently doing a community survey and will be doing community conversations
that we hope will identify what the community needs and that will inform who we decide to partner
with.
2:50:50 PM Our local career center has closed due to budget cuts so I'd like to work with Adult Ed
Center
2:51:13 PM Veterans Affairs rep meets with clients here at our library at least once per month
2:51:14 PM A government funded service that provides support to the indigineous community. The
children are often unattended and roam the city.
2:55:17 PM Time
2:56:48 PM Any last questions as we're wrapping up?
2:57:44 PM We are participating in the Libraries Transforming Communities innitiative, and through
it, we are focusing on conversations with community aspirations, obstacles and solutions with our
community.
2:58:30 PM Coming from outside libraries, is there a considerable skills gap in libraries regarding
community engagement?
2:59:25 PM Great info guys, thanks!

6. 3:00:01 PM Great session, had a good time. Thank you all.
3:00:22 PM Having been in the library community for more than 30 years, community engagement
has become way more of a "thing" and there are many available resources!
3:00:34 PM Thank you for the great ideas!
3:01:34 PM Thank you, great info.!
3:01:47 PM thank you- good ideas
3:01:57 PM Yes!
3:02:10 PM Thanks everyone...great participation!!
3:02:20 PM Thank you so much!
3:02:23 PM Thank you! Good ideas!
3:02:32 PM Thank you!