Your library faces changing community needs. How will you adapt your services swiftly?

Libraries should reflect the community they serve. They should offer a welcoming place for all residents. In some areas, newcomers may be unfamiliar with the services available through the library. Outreach is important to ensure that they find the library to be an inviting place. Community needs may change due to new residential subdivisions, the proximity of schools and daycare centers, or the arrival of people who may have different linguistic and cultural traditions. Outreach often means more that creating surveys and assessments for present patrons. It also includes learning from other cultural organizations, social service groups, and public entities about people they are seeing at their locations that may not have visited us yet.

Adotar tecnologia é essencial, na cria??o de programas de apoio, como tutoriais virtuais e webinars, facilita a adapta??o dos usuários às novas tecnologias.

As your community evolves, so does its needs, and the library is at the forefront of adapting to these changes. Recognizing this, libraries are reimagining their remaining spaces to better serve their ever-changing communities. Whether it's through the creation of dynamic learning environments for children, cozy reading nooks for adults, or versatile meeting areas for community groups, the goal is to provide a welcoming space that aids in its community's growth, creativity, and connection. By continuously assessing and adjusting your offerings, you're ensuring that the library remains a vital and relevant resource everyone.

Reference librarians often get book suggestions from loyal patrons. These insights are valuable, but it's also important to build collections for those in the community who may not have visited in large numbers yet. This is an important way to build trust with these residents and encourage them to become patrons.

In rural towns and communities, word of mouth regarding library services is still a predominant method of spreading news and information. Partnering locally (even with the bank or hardware shop down the street) is vital for spreading library awareness. Don't discount local businesses and organizations just because you think they wouldn't be helpful in partnering. Always ask.

Durante a pandemia, observamos um aumento significativo na necessidade de recursos para pesquisa acadêmica, especialmente devido às restri??es de acesso físico à biblioteca. Em resposta, ampliamos nosso acesso a plataformas digitais, adquirindo novas bases de dados, assinando periódicos eletr?nicos e expandindo nosso catálogo de e-books por meio da curadoria digital com foco no acesso aberto.

In terms of innovation, you can obviously develop and introduce new services to your patron population (and you should try to, if your needs assessments show the demand). You can also adapt, reinvent, and expand your services to meet a wider range of needs and patrons. Not every initiative has to be built brand new, from the ground up. There are likely several services you already have in full motion that need some alterations to elevate beyond the status quo.