{"id":7675,"date":"2018-12-03T10:16:37","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T18:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bclaconnectrev.wpengine.com\/perspectives\/?p=7675"},"modified":"2025-01-22T11:25:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T19:25:49","slug":"what-do-we-mean-by-outreach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bclaconnect.ca\/perspectives\/2018\/12\/03\/what-do-we-mean-by-outreach\/","title":{"rendered":"What do we mean by Outreach?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The BCLA Perspectives editorial board had already approved the theme and sent out a call for submissions before someone thought to ask: \u201c<\/span>But what <\/span><\/i>is <\/i><\/b>outreach?<\/span><\/i>\u201d In that conversation we realized a concrete definition and boundaries eluded us–but the meaning and sentiment felt embodied in a variety of library work. But how do library workers interpret outreach? What does the profession say? We wondered if everyone had the same (mis?)understanding. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, like good information professionals, we turned to our resources. After collecting some official definitions, and casually gathering thoughts from colleagues and library workers, we learned — to nobody\u2019s surprise — that different organizations and individuals have a range of ideas and approaches related to outreach, from library extension and marketing to community-led services. The underlying theme in all of it is a passion to engage with users and to improve services.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formal definitions of outreach
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cLibrary programs and services designed to meet the information needs of users who are unserved or underserved\u2026.\u201d \u00a0– <\/span>ODLIS: Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIdentifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries. ODLOS provides resources to library and information workers who serve traditionally underrepresented groups. Our outreach areas include: adult new and non-readers, <\/span>gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, <\/span>people, incarcerated people and ex-offenders, older adults, people of color, people with disabilities, people experiencing poverty and homelessness, rural, native, and tribal libraries of all kinds, and bookmobile communities.\u201d \u00a0– <\/span>The American Library Association\u2019s Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services (ODLOS)<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cOutreach meets community needs with both traditional and new services, in dynamic and changing environments. Whether providing services to those who can’t come to the library, or reaching out to those who are underserved, library outreach and community engagement ensures equitable delivery of library services to all people.\u201d – OCLC\u2019s Webjunction<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cLibrary outreach can be tough: There\u2019s no standard definition of outreach among libraries, and what it consists of differs from institution to institution. Some libraries focus on marketing and advertising services, while others concentrate on relationship building with their constituents. Some focus on fun events to coax people into their facility.\u201d- <\/span>The <\/span>Library Outreach Casebook<\/span><\/i><\/a>, ACRL 2018<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the professional literature and organizational documentation, outreach is both foundational and sundry. At one end, libraries are identifying potential new users or promoting the library outside its building, and at the other end, community-led approaches build library services and policies on long-term goals of meeting community needs, a ceaseless engagement in outreach.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

BCLA\u2019s value of Access and Inclusion holds that \u201c…people, communities, and organizations need universal and equitable access to information, ideas, and works of imagination for their social, cultural, educational, democratic, and economic well-being,\u201d reminding us that libraries serve many populations and fulfill many needs through outreach, from communal to corporate, personal to professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent examples of outreach<\/b><\/p>\n

Gail Borden Public Library (Ill.) and the St. Charles Public Library (Ill.)<\/a> partners libraries with local groups to provide fidget quilts for patrons with memory loss:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe key thing is that we saw the need to meet our patrons where they are. We need to pop up in the community and be the library there.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This kind of community engagement streams in multiple directions, explains Finerty of the Alzheimer\u2019s Association. She says that connecting with library leaders has boosted and deepened her organization\u2019s memory health education efforts.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Reader\u2019s advisory programs for patrons based on their tattoos (Multnomah County Library, Denver Public Library, Durango Public Library<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes people with tattoos can feel excluded or maybe feel like they aren\u2019t welcome\u2026It was a nice way to reach other populations and let them know the library is cool.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Ontario, 60 library systems are participating in the \u201cOpen Media Desk (OMD).\u201d<\/a> \u00a0This project analyzes social media stories to identify patterns of community behaviour. \u00a0One of their findings: \u201cthat elusive audiences\u2014audiences we didn\u2019t know we had\u2014reveal themselves when we understand the cultural triggers that engage their appetite for shared stories. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe equation looks like this: If you want your library to become a community hub, focus on library programming and outreach that maximize your community\u2019s perception that libraries have changed their mode of contributing to community value co-creation. Libraries are not only a vital barometer of community prosperity, but the conversations they can spark through programming and social media will redefine participatory culture.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rutgers University Libraries<\/a> describes their use of a button maker:<\/p>\n

\u201cAt RUL, our button maker has become a tool for engagement, which has allowed the libraries to connect with patrons in unexpected ways. This machine has helped highlight the libraries\u2019 unique collections and encouraged students to ask about our Special Collections and University Archives. Button making has also facilitated conversations about copyright and finding images, topics on the minds of many academic librarians. Lastly, the button maker helps students have fun and leave the library smiling. These moments have led to more reference encounters, departmental collaborations, and unique experiences happening at RUL.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In 2018, the Riverside Library of the New York Public Library <\/a>launched the NYPL Grow Up Work Fashion Library, where adults and teens can borrow ties, belts, briefcases and purses when they attend job interviews.<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept came to [librarian Michelle Lee] in 2016 when she was teaching a free class at the library about job seeking and r\u00e9sum\u00e9 making. She told the high school students in attendance: \u201cYou want to look professional. You shouldn\u2019t be bringing a backpack to a job interview.”<\/p>\n

She was surprised by their reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor a lot of them it was eye-opening because they never thought about it,\u201d Lee said. \u201cOne of the students said he didn\u2019t have anything like that. The other kids were like, \u2018I don\u2019t have nice things.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She realized the students needed more than a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 class.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Visits to a free veterinary clinic in Vancouver, BC:\"Screen<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

A community librarian with Vancouver Public Library makes regular visits to a free veterinary clinic (hosted by BC SPCA) for pets living in the Downtown Eastside. \u00a0Many of the pet owners would otherwise have no connection with the library; people who are homeless or who have inadequate housing do not have the option to leave their pets at home–but they cannot bring their pets with them inside the library, either. \u00a0\u00a0The clinic is drop-in, so pet owners welcome a chat with the librarian while waiting their turn. In several cases, pet owners have subsequently made an effort to visit the library branch, after the community librarian assured them of a warm welcome and described what services they might expect. \u00a0Others, who are not able to find a place to leave their pets, look forward to the reading material the librarian brings with her on each visit.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Conclusion: Evolving ideas<\/b><\/p>\n

A lack of cohesive agreement regarding \u201cwhat is outreach\u201d might be because library workers serve\u00a0in varying environments. It might be because service philosophies continuously evolve. It might be because the word itself is outdated or imbued with a limited meaning. (As another example, ten years ago we spoke of computer training, but today we think of digital equity and 21st century literacy.) <\/span><\/p>\n

Our investigation suggests that outreach is thought of as any effort that extends beyond physical and virtual library services to reach new patrons and, sometimes, to enhance the service to existing patrons. Most definitions and examples had a few elements in common: extending oneself to better understand a patron or community need; altering standard services in order to meet a need; or simply to provide a more pleasant and welcoming experience to patrons. <\/span><\/p>\n

If people do agree on one aspect of outreach, it seems to <\/span>be about making \u00a0deliberate, proactive and intentional efforts. <\/span>BCLA\u2019s value of diversity, \u201cpromoting the equitable provision of library resources and services as determined by the needs of library users\u201d underscores that knowing our library users and their needs is the best starting point.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Stephanie Kripps<\/strong> is the branch head of n\u0259\u0301c\u0313a\u0294mat ct Strathcona branch, Vancouver Public Library. <\/span><\/p>\n

Chris Middlemass<\/strong> is an adjunct Professor at the iSchool at UBC, the incoming president of BCLA, and a retired manager from the Vancouver Public Library. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The BCLA Perspectives editorial board had already approved the theme and sent out a call for submissions before someone thought to ask: \u201cBut what is outreach?\u201d In that conversation we realized a concrete definition and boundaries eluded us–but the meaning and sentiment felt embodied in a variety of library work. But how do library workers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4779,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[223,200],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-issue-3-the-outreach-issue","category-volume-10-2018"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat do we mean by Outreach? - BCLA Perspectives<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bclaconnect.ca\/perspectives\/2018\/12\/03\/what-do-we-mean-by-outreach\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What do we mean by Outreach? - BCLA Perspectives\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The BCLA Perspectives editorial board had already approved the theme and sent out a call for submissions before someone thought to ask: \u201cBut what is outreach?\u201d In that conversation we realized a concrete definition and boundaries eluded us–but the meaning and sentiment felt embodied in a variety of library work. 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