Community Outreach
Outreach services have been created to help our communities in many different ways. They can assist individuals, groups, organizations, and so much more. Depending on the needs in the area, there are a wide variety of outreach services available. While their assistance was created to help those in need, outreach services can benefit libraries, too. As you consider the advantages of libraries and outreach services working together, there are some things to keep in mind.
Promote to Your Local Audience
One way that libraries can benefit from working with outreach services is that it allows both the library and outreach service to promote their services to a much larger audience. Since libraries are public arenas, when they work with outreach services, it allows both of them to gain more exposure. For instance, the library can promote the outreach service’s offerings so their patrons can learn about the assistance available to them. The outreach service, working with the library, can help bring visitors to the library. Some visitors may visit the library to gain assistance from the service, or they may not have known about the library before working with the outreach service. The pairing of the library and outreach service benefits both of the organizations as they can cross-promote and get the word out to a much larger audience.
Partnering With Families and Veterans
Not only that but when patrons visit the library for various reasons, they can learn of the outreach services that are available to them and communication is increased between all entities. For example, should the Library partner with a veteran’s outreach organization, the outreach service, and the library work together in many ways to benefit veterans and their families? As those involved in the outreach program take part in the service’s offerings, they can learn more about the library. If the program is based in the library, more patrons will visit to take part. This allows the library to share their communications with those who are a part of the outreach service.
Gain Knowledge and Information
Another benefit of libraries partnering with outreach services is it gives them a better reputation. A public library is typically known for being a place where you can check out books and gain information. However, they have so much more to offer so having a good reputation is important. By working together with various area outreach services, community members come to learn that the library views are helping others as being important. This helps to create a caring reputation that many people will appreciate. Let’s say the library is partnered with an outreach service that assists immigrants. They library can choose to share their partnering, along with the service’s information on their social media site. This allows anyone who visits the library’s page to learn how they help others, whether they need the help or not; it still is a great way to show others that you care.
Connect with Parents and Share Information
Partnering with outreach services also benefits the library as they can help more people in the area. While a public library helps community members gain information via books, periodicals, other printed material, internet service, and more, they can also help those who are in need of assistance. Not everyone is aware of the help that is out there. When the library chooses to share information for the outreach service, and vice versa, more people are helped and in a variety of ways that can contribute to making their lives better.
Libraries can work with a broad range of outreach service organizations. There are many groups out there that have been formed to help in so many different ways. A library should choose the outreach services to work with that best fit the needs of those who visit their library and then continue monitoring how the relationship is working.
In conclusion,
It is a very good idea for libraries and outreach services to work together. Both organizations benefit from the partnership. The library gains additional exposure, as does the outreach service. They are both able to share their communications with a much larger audience. Also, working with outreach services helps to improve the reputation of libraries as they grow in their capacity to help others.
