By Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director – Southern Tier Library System
Dundee Library partnered with multiple agencies and organizations to bring community members together. An excellent example of public library best practices.
It is evident Rachel’s program will have an impact on her community. How many people are participating? And, how many people are benefiting from one librarian’s initiative?
My grandfather Wesley Secrist worked for the Ford Motor Company for more than 20 years. There wasn’t a day following his retirement he didn’t talk about the man Henry Ford. My grandfather took pride in his work, the company he worked for and the man who created opportunity for so many others.
When I was a child, my grandfather would talk about his upbringing, and his years of attending a rural one-room school house. He only had to complete eight years of schooling, so he could help his family work the farm. As he grew older he worked as an apprentice for a local insurance company where he learned to crunch numbers. This experience enabled him to secure a job with the Ford Motor Company to serve as an accountant.
Recently I watched an American Experience documentary on Henry Ford. I was fascinated by his story, and appreciated his entrepreneurial spirit. In one segment he was quoted, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
I have heard similar statements before, but when I heard this it really made me think about my vision for Southern Tier Library System, and the work of public libraries in general.
Daily, our member libraries share information with each other to improve upon existing services. The role of public libraries is to continually evolve. Member libraries that share information, and member libraries that react to this information are in a better position to serve their community.
Earlier this week, Librarian Rachel Knapton of the Dundee Library sent out information on the Youth listserv about a program she is implementing within her community. The program in and of itself is fantastic! It contains all the key elements of successful public library best practices. However, the specific information she provided will empower other librarians to do similar outreach in other communities throughout the five-county area.
Here is what Rachel Knapton had to say:
“Earlier this year, I read a book called “Snoozefest” (which is incredibly adorable and you should all get it!) and it gave me an idea for an outdoor storytelling/slumber party program. As ideas tend to do, it has morphed and changed and become an event called “Night at the Museum.”
I approached the director of our local Historical Society (http://www.dundeeareahistory.com/) about collaborating on a a program for kids. She was all for it, and we set to brainstorming. We decided on a quick tour of the museum, followed by a scavenger hunt (we wanted children to be able to understand what they were looking for before we set them loose!). We also discussed having a band play lullabies (this was an idea from Snoozefest) and contacting some other local agencies to see if they wanted to pitch in.
Fastforward to June and I have 5 organizations signed up to participate with outdoor games, map activities, bubbles, snacks, etc. We are having the Dundee Central School’s Jazz Band and Symphonic Steel Drum bands play for two 45 minute sets. We have a local resident (former elementary school teacher) doing a 15 minute story time in the middle, and the director of the Historical Society will be closing the evening with some local history stories.
Participating organizations include: the Finger Lakes Parent Network (they run a Teen Group and are bringing teens to help with the scavenger hunt/museum tour), Early Head Start (retro family fun games including sack races, egg races, etc.), Cornell Cooperative/4H (more outdoor games/period specific things), Yates County Youth Bureau (dinosaurs and fossils), and Child and Family Resources (Mapping/collaging and snacks!).
I still have to create a “map” of the events, but we have a basic schedule all ready to go. The event takes place in the park in front of the Historical Society, as well as within the building itself. Any and all are welcome to come, so please feel free to come visit on July 30 from 6-8 PM!
Let me know if you have any questions, I’m happy to share more :)”
It is evident Rachel’s program will have an impact on her community. How many people are participating? And, how many people are benefiting from one librarian’s initiative? Most importantly, because Rachel shared this with other libraries… How many more communities will have similar experiences? Or, should I say successes?
Remember what Henry Ford said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
Have a great summer weekend Southern Tier member libraries. As always, thank you for your continued support and many efforts.
Kindest Regards,
Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director
Southern Tier Library System
Follow me on Twitter: @comlibpartner
