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What are the best ways to reach hard-to-find populations in library outreach?

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Library outreach is a vital service that aims to connect with people who may not have access to or awareness of the library's resources and programs. However, reaching hard-to-find populations, such as homeless people, immigrants, refugees, or rural residents, can pose many challenges and require creative strategies. In this article, you will learn some of the best ways to reach hard-to-find populations in library outreach, based on the experiences and recommendations of librarians and experts in the field.

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1 Identify your target population

Before you plan and implement your outreach activities, you need to identify who your target population is and what their needs, preferences, and barriers are. You can do this by conducting a community assessment, which involves collecting and analyzing data from various sources, such as census, surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations. A community assessment can help you understand the demographics, culture, language, literacy, education, health, and social issues of your target population, as well as their existing use of or interest in library services.

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2 Partner with community organizations

One of the most effective ways to reach hard-to-find populations is to partner with community organizations that already serve or have contact with them. These organizations can include schools, churches, shelters, health centers, social service agencies, or advocacy groups. By collaborating with these partners, you can leverage their trust, expertise, and resources to reach your target population and deliver your outreach services. For example, you can co-host events, share information, distribute materials, or provide referrals through your partners.

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Meredith Eliassen

Associate Librarian, Lecturer/Special Collections Librarian at San Francisco State University
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Partnering with organizations to engage with hard-to-reach populations can be part of long-term plans to build sustainability. Collaborating with specialists and “community elders” to bring the right resources to the people who need them the most can lead to funding opportunities to support library services and library users.

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3 Adapt your services and programs

Another way to reach hard-to-find populations is to adapt your services and programs to meet their specific needs and interests. This means offering relevant and culturally responsive content, formats, and delivery methods that suit your target population. For example, you can provide multilingual materials, digital literacy training, mobile services, or outreach kits that can be used outside the library. You can also tailor your programs to address topics or issues that are important or relevant to your target population, such as health, immigration, or civic engagement.

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4 Promote your outreach effectively

To reach hard-to-find populations, you also need to promote your outreach effectively and strategically. This means using the appropriate channels, messages, and incentives that can attract and motivate your target population to use your services and programs. For example, you can use word-of-mouth, social media, flyers, posters, or newsletters to communicate your outreach offerings. You can also use incentives, such as prizes, food, or certificates, to encourage participation and engagement.

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5 Evaluate your outreach outcomes

Finally, to reach hard-to-find populations, you need to evaluate your outreach outcomes and measure your impact. This means collecting and analyzing data on how your outreach activities have affected your target population's awareness, access, use, satisfaction, and outcomes of library services and programs. For example, you can use surveys, interviews, testimonials, or statistics to assess your outreach outcomes. You can also use feedback, suggestions, or stories to improve your outreach practices and strategies.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to reach hard-to-find populations in library outreach?

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1 Identify your target population

2 Partner with community organizations

3 Adapt your services and programs

4 Promote your outreach effectively

5 Evaluate your outreach outcomes

6 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

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What are the best ways to reach hard-to-find populations in library outreach?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your target population

2 Partner with community organizations

3 Adapt your services and programs

4 Promote your outreach effectively

5 Evaluate your outreach outcomes

6 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

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