Combined School/City Libraries:

Benefits of having a School/ City Library under one roof and how to make it work for your community.

Everyone Wins

Lindsey Hansen City LibrarianLinda Holmberg School Librarian

Community Meeting -Public Library recognized as a community weakness

How it all Evolved!

School State Review -Recognizes the school library as inadequate

-City searching for a different building for the Public Library

Community Takes Action!

-Parents from School District discuss condition of current School Library

-Suggestion made to build a new city/school library

Idea is now out there to form a Community Library

People Are Talking!

Who’s going to pay for

this!

It’ll be too noisy in

there with all those kids!!!

I don’t want to walk through the school to

get to the library!

Where will everybody

park?Our

Library is just fine!!

Now the library will have room

to host SPECIAL

PROGRAMS!

There would be two

budgets to buy more materials!

There will be MORE SPACE

to access material and resources!

No need to duplicate materials anymore!

Just think the Library will be

able to be open MORE Hours!

Won’t it be GREAT to bring adults &

students together!

I hope there will be a place

for organizations

to meet!

Others Are Talking!

Is this RIGHT for your COMMUNITY?-Service population

-Review Strategic Plan-Is your library sustainable?-School/City Librarians open to the idea?-School Board/ City Council provide support, staff, and funding?-Consensus of community that a combined library is the best way to meet everyone’s needs? -Enough interested to form a committee to do the research?

-City Council Members

Combo Library Research Committee

-School Board Members

- Public Librarian & School Librarian

-School Administrators

-Community Members (with/without children)

Coming together :Getting the word out, asking the community

-Community input, surveys, town meetings, mailers, internet -Let the community know the benefits of a combination library for the public & school

-Do the research, find other combo libraries in communities that are about that same size, visit them.

-City Council and School Board on the same page.

Community “Buy in”

-Receive financial support from area businesses, local organizations, donations from members of the community & alumni.-The more the community gets involved the more successful the library will be.

What do the people want? -Build a new building onto the School

-Separate public entrance & handicap access into the Library

-Separate adult section

-A meeting room available for organizations

-Public restrooms available/not schools

-Expanded Hours

What the school needs!

-Centrally located Library

-Recreational & Resource Materials

-Library Skills Offered

-Exposure to Library Atmosphere

-Prepare students for college

-Access to Technology

-Memorials & Donations/Community

Where would the $$$$ come from!

-Federal Grant/City

-Capital Outlay Certificates/School

You need your school board and city council to work out budget details in a

written contract

Written Contract-Need to have a written contract!!!

-Two full time librarians one city employed/one school employed

-Money/Budgeting

-Contract states the need for a library board

-Lawyer write up legal document

Cooperation & Commitment!

How we make it work!

-We have a community, “one program” approach, not two separate programs that share the same building.

-We created an environment that, young children, teenagers, young adults and older adults feel comfortable in.

-We understand our roles as both the school and public library

-We share the role of library director, no “Mine vs. Yours” mentality

-We have the support of our library patrons, city council and school board. -Financial support comes from all three of the groups mentioned above

Our Community

Library Board should have a board that is not the city council and that is not the school board.

-Representatives from the City Council

-Representatives from the School Board

-Representatives from the Community

-The City and School Librarian should be present for the meetings

For the YOUNG,The OLD,

And everyone in BETWEEN!!!!

All Together, Everyone

Wins!

Questions? Comments?

Every town has unique issues

Be in contact with your state library, they are an excellent

resource!

We have a shared purpose!We believe that having a combined

library, has more benefits for our

community members and students

Contact InformationCenterville Community Library

421 Florida St. Centerville, SD 57014(605) 563-2540

lindsey.hansen@k12.sd.uslinda.holmberg@k12.sd.us