This presentation offers libraries some basic strategies for establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships in order to increase impact and community value.

1. October 22, 2013
Presented by:
Beth Yoke, YALSA Executive Director
byoke@ala.org
@yalsa_director
LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS
TO INCREASE IMPACT
ACT Now:

2. Overview
•Why partner?
•What is a partnership?
•Steps to success
•Resources
•Info Sharing
www.rexblog.com

3. Why seek partnerships?

4. What is a partnership?
used in a broad way “partnerships” describes
relationships between people, organizations,
agencies & communities that work together
and share interests

5. PARTNERSHIPS
steps to success

6. Determine Needs
Review your library’s & your
department’s strategic plan and seek
feedback from your Teen Advisory Group
Develop a list of goals or needs and
think about what a partner could
contribute to help you address them
successfully

7. Inventory Assets
•meeting & display spaces
•a newsletter, website & social media presence
•highly trained staff
•direct access to community members
•a network of existing community groups, partners, supporters &
volunteers
•the capacity to implement programs
•a wealth of in-depth, quality information, tools & resources
•a focus on serving the entire community
•volunteer opportunities
•good PR/reputation enhancement
•donation/sponsorship opportunities

8. External:
•Youth & after school groups
•Businesses & business focused groups
•Charitable organizations
•Workforce development
•At-risk youth
•STEM
•Immigrant advocacy
•Community development
•Schools
•Government agencies
Internal:
•Friends of the Library
•Other departments
Identify & Vet Potential Partners

9. Build & Maintain Relationships
Can be time-consuming initially
Communication & people skills are critical
Include partners in the work of the library
Build good communication channels
Find ways to make the partner look good
Continue to have conversations about their
needs & priorities
Develop an understanding of their processes

10. Co-Develop a Program
 Use each other’s goals to jointly develop a
program that meets both parties’ needs
 Clearly identify who is responsible for what
 Set a reasonable timeline
 Check-in often to ensure forward progress
 Design an evaluation component

11. Implement Program
 Utilize a marketing plan to get the word out
 Communicate often
 Make adjustments as needed
 Collect and share successes

12. Evaluate
 How did the partnership impact your teens?
What is better for them now?
 Measure the success of your joint effort and to
what degree it met the needs/goals you
originally developed
 Is there any potential to grow or expand the
partnership?
 Also take into consideration practical things,
like whether or not their staff are easy to work
with

13. Adjust or Move on
 Work with the partner to make any needed
refinements or improvements
 If you’ve outgrown the partnership for any
reason, be up front and move on
 It’s never personal—focus on your library’s and
department’s strategic plan and goals
 Keep the door open for future partnering

14. Further exploration
Building Strong Partnerships with Businesses,
http://ow.ly/pNMU0 (.pdf)
“Corporate Partnerships for Non-profits: a Match Made in
Heaven?” http://ow.ly/pNSvj (.pdf)
“It Takes a Neighborhood: Purpose Built Communities and
Neighborhood Transformation” http://ow.ly/pHAtY
“Public Library Partnerships which add value to the
Community: the Hamilton Public Library Experience”
http://ow.ly/pHzRJ

15. Information Sharing
 What haven’t we covered?
 What would you like to know in more detail?
 What successes, challenges or resources do
you want to share?
 What’s one thing you’ve learned
you can use at your library?

16. Thank you!
Beth Yoke
YALSA
www.ala.org/yalsa
byoke@ala.org
312.280.4391
@yalsa_director