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The Outreach Issue: A letter from the Editors

All we can say is Wow! Our library workers are passionate about outreach. Before the BCLA Perspectives editorial board even had a chance to realize there’s no clear definition of outreach in the library world, we’d received numerous submissions with examples from academic, community, and public libraries, and organizations.

Libraries are launching new technologies (like RPL’s book dispenser and WeChat), updating strategies (Out on the Shelves tackled website page ranking, Indigitization changed Twitter tactics for more meaningful engagement, and the University of Waterloo Library Communications Team found a new voice), and rolling–literally, just ask LiLi–with what works.

Contributors are challenging us to try new topics and find new groups for outreach, to consider how outreach can increase diversity of the profession, and to see how outreach fits into the bigger picture alongside program assessment and collection management and modernization.

We are blown away by the enthusiasm shared by everyone who contributed so thoughtfully to this issue. We hope the energy continues with the first issue of 2019: Collaboration. From GLAM activities to community partnerships, cultural programs, and one-off exhibitions, we want to know what’s happening–and what’s not but should be–in addition to the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and what opportunities you see in the future. We also hope you’ll help us develop the issue. Email [email protected] with story ideas or for more information about collaborating with the editorial board on the Collaboration issue.  

Oh! And to do a little outreach of our own, we’ve set up a Twitter account to promote our stories and share other great work around libraries. Follow us at @BCLApub.