Community Engagement Librarian West Bloomfield Township Public Library
Community Engagement has become a new standard over the last few years in the library world. Many libraries have hired dedicated staff for this role and some have been thrown into the position. What does it really mean to start a community engagement department and be the first person to serve in that role for a library? What is the definition of engagement or outreach as it relates to library services and how does it help build connections within the community? How do we measure the successes and overcome the challenges? How does the library develop best practices and standards for implementing new and innovative ways for connection? How do you ensure your engagement staff doesn’t burn out? This poster presentation will walk through starting up a community engagement department from the ground up. It will offer organizational strategies, programming and collection tips, ways to measure success, helpful resources, and tips to avoid librarian burnout.