The Community Partnership Handbook for Small Libraries

Learn how to create equitable and successful partnerships for your library by connecting with organizations in your community and communities worldwide. Librarians know the value of building community partnerships—but what’s the best way to initiate and sustain them? Purposeful partnerships help libraries meet the needs of individuals and varying community groups. Tyler Hahn shows how working with other organizations can help libraries uphold their missions and offer more effective services to their communities. He shares on-the-ground examples and practical tips to help librarians, teachers, and community leaders build strong collaborations, covering everything from teaming up with schools and local businesses to working with the government and non-profit groups. Including information on beginning, building, and sustaining partnerships; community engagement; ethical considerations; and future trends, Hahn provides a hands-on toolkit for implementing partnerships that will benefit both your library and your community partners. Of particular value for small and rural libraries, this practical book is useful for new and seasoned librarians at all levels.