Holy Outreach, Batman! Presented by: Betty Lawson Children’s Librarian Wayne County Public Library

Holy Outreach, Batman!

Presented by:

Betty LawsonChildren’s Librarian

Wayne County Public Libraryblawson@waynelibraries.org

Sherry ChristmanYouth Services Consultant

punkpixie@comcast.net

POW!

Bap!

Holy Outreach, Batman!

Precisely, Robin.

Find Your Inner Superhero!

Why Outreach? Library Bill of Rights Bringing the library to:•Under served groups•Children with special needs•Families in crisis/need•Non users

Words Matter!

All children are born learning, but….

• If a child is read to by age 3 – 1116 words• If a child is NOT read to by age 3 – 525 words• If a child is read to by age 6- 20,000 words• If a child is NOT read to by age 6 -3,000 words

- The Hart-Risley 30 Million Word Gap Study – 1995

What are YOUR superpowers?

The face of Youth Services? Attract a crowd? Creative? Approachable?

Breaking Barriers

Build Relationships!Connect with Schools:

Credibility Program flyers Connect with teachers Guest Reader Volunteer

Build Relationships!Connect with Your Community:

Credibility Board involvement Community reading Books to preschools/daycares National Library Month partnerships

To the batmobile! Go beyond your physical space Contrary to popular opinion, size doesn’t matter! Show up on their turf“If we build it they will come” mentality doesn’t work!

“…in order to encourage children to come to the library, you must go

where they are, honor where they come from. And understand what

they love.” (Diaz, 2009, Teacher Librarian)

The EmbeddedLibrarian!

• Preschools• Daycares• Elementary Schools• Local Board Involvement• Children’s Museums• Housing Projects• Children & Youth Services• Victim Intervention Programs• Life Skills Programs

• Parks • PA One Book, Every Young Child• Library field trip TO schools• Books For Keeps• Tail Waggin’ Tutors• YMCA

Tween/Teen Outreach Reach them at school:•Clubs – Anime, Language, Book•Lunch hour information table•Summer Reading Book Talks•Back to School Night•Connect with teachers!

Tween/Teen Outreach Social Media:•Twitter, Instagram and Vine•Age directed content•Use library going tweens/teens to spread the word!

AlternativeOutreach

Juvenile detention centers & rehabilitation programs

Community Events:•Parades•Community days

Senior Center

In-House outreach? YES!

• Truck Petting Zoo• Lego Club• Therapy Dogs• Family Nights• Rachel’s Challenge• Homeschool Support

•Reading Star Program• One on Ones with parents• Quick Notes to Parents• Teachable Moments

You Got ‘em…Now what?!

• Credibility!•Family Take Home Sheets• Social Media•W.I.C.• Pediatrician Offices

• Ask Them!• Stay a Part of Their Lives• Be seen – Be Interested

Fruits of Outreach Labor•5k’s proceeds•Free Movie Saturdays•Donations from parents•Wish Lists granted for summer programs•Great resource for community needs - Deb and Scott - VIP single mom – apt. - Out of the Darkness walk - car seat safety check - PR for other agencies /events - Early Intervention testing• Kid’s Safety Fair•Tanya / Jason / Lisa story

Resources•Funding issues•United Way•Scholastic Face – scholastic.com/face•Book Donations•Local businesses, also donate products - Wal-Mart, Dollar stores•National retailers, such as Macy’s and Target offer grants at the local level. •EITC-Banks and businesses•EIO- The Library•http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/educational-improvement-tax-credit-program-eitc

O---Outreach feeds on outreachU---Understand the complexities of the populationT---Time is of the essenceR---Reach with urgencyE---Everyone is your customer A---Attitude is of the utmost importance C---Care for the needs of the populationH---The Human factor needs to be in place

*Avila (2008, p.48 )

Our Words Matter!

To the batcave!

Overwhelmed? Put on your Baby Cape!

Inaction is like Kryptonite to Superman…don’t be defeated!