Lesley Williams, head of adult services at the Evanston Public Library, outlines the library's strategies for enhancing community programming in a diverse and competitive environment. The library aims to address unmet needs through partnerships with local nonprofits and organizations while focusing on community issues, ethnic diversity, and original programming. Key challenges include funding and perceptions of library events, prompting a shift towards more inclusive and targeted offerings.

1. Lesley Williams
Head of Adult Services
Evanston Public Library
Library Programs for Grown-Ups

2. A bit about the Evanston community:
 Population: 74,486
 39.7% non-white
 Hispanic pop. has grown 91% since
1990
 20% high income, 19.7% low income
 37% have advanced degrees
 11.6% high school or GED
 Home to Northwestern University

3. History of Programming at EPL
 Previously handled by Friends of the Library.
 Not free
 Primarily literary, played to a limited audience
 Later, programs tended to be from the “library
circuit”, not especially fresh or targeted to Evanston
community

4. Challenges to Public Programming
 Perceptions: “for seniors and six year olds”
 Competition: like Iowa City, lots going on in
community. How much is library programming
needed?
 Money (of course). Many library program “regulars”
charge exorbitant fees.

5. Essential Questions:
 What needs aren’t being met that Library programs
could fulfill?
 What populations (ages, ethnicities, life stages)
aren’t being served?
 Who can we work with?

6. EPL’s Approach
 Limit the number of fee based programs
 Focus on community resources: local nonprofits,
local authors, university community, business
community
 Provide original programs targeted to Evanston, not
duplicating neighbors

7. Programming Partners
 Northwestern’s Science societies
 Kaplan Humanities Institute
 Local and specialty bookstores
 Interfaith organizations
 Political and advocacy organizations
 Service fraternities and sororities
 Local park district

8. Winners of Scientific Images contest
discuss their projects

9. Art History Professor Huey Copeland
lectures…

12. Our Focus Areas
 Community issues and discussion
 Ethnic diversity
 “Slow” Books and New Authors
 Business, Career and Financial support

13. Community Issues
 Announced willingness to partner with any local
nonprofit for up to 6 programs per year
 Open to controversies: politics, sex, the Middle East
 Pros – local group does much of the publicity,
controversy generates media interest.
 Untold Stories, Neighbors for Peace and Evanston
Republican Party

15. Untold Stories: We Skype with Gaza

16. Israel-Palestine series

18. Yes, we talk about SEX in the
Library!

19. Ethnic Diversity
 Latino Outreach
 Muslim Journeys
 11 Months of African American History

21. ¡FIESTA 2011!
Celebrate Latin@ Heritage Month
www.epl.org/latinoheritage
Cuentos de Cuba
Thursday, 9/22 at 7pm
Community Meeting Room
Cuentos de Cuba
El jueves, 9/22 a las 7 de la noche
Cuarto de la Comunidad

23. “Slow” Books
 Mission Impossible
 August Wilson series
 One Book One Northwestern
 Local Authors

28. 3 Authors Programs: Leg up for new
local authors

31. Discussing August Wilson’s Gem of
the Ocean

32. Teen and Adult crossover
Cory Doctorow speaking at EPL, October 2012

33. Business, Career and Financial support
 Can be most challenging to get participants (library not
typically viewed as expert)
 Partnerships with trusted organizations are key
 NextChapter program
 YWCA and WorkNet
 MoneySmart Week

34. NextChapter and Worknet: small
business and jobs

35. Scheduling Tips
 Series work better than standalones
 Know the community’s events
 Check the football schedules!

36. Thoughts on Marketing
 Recognize that you are not a marketer or a graphic
designer: get help!
 Avoid the “library ghetto” in local media
 Identify where your audience gets its news. Church?
Rotary club? School newsletters? Social service
agencies?
 Enlist your presenters and partner organizations

37. Final thoughts
 No “typical” library program
 Provide what’s missing, not more of the same
 Be bold, not bland.

38. Lesley Williams
lawilliams@cityofevanston.org
847-448-8630
www.epl.org
facebook.com/evanstonpubliclibrary
Thanks!!