Community Collaboration: Hokah Librarian on the Loose
The intent of the proposed project is to promote the broad array of library services and activities to individuals and families who are not currently using some or all these services. The focus of the project is on making connections with people throughout the community and educating them about how not only the Hokah Library has changed in the last months and year but also on how library services throughout the country have evolved; libraries are more than “just books”. The Hokah Library has experienced many positive changes which many people in the community do not know about; using community outreach, we hope to expand knowledge of and use of our library. Furthermore, working with partner organizations demonstrates a level of social and fiscal responsibility that the community is sure to appreciate. Bringing in partnerships with the Hiawatha Valley Education District and St. Peter’s School helps to reinforce the educational importance of the library.
The Librarian on the Loose will attend key community activities including the Farmer's Market, summer ball practices and/or games, and swimming lessons. These activities were selected due to the high number of people within the demographic groups who attend these events in our community.
745 participated
It is our belief that people “don’t know what they don’t know” and too many people don’t know what’s happening right here at the Hokah Library. The ultimate goal is to have more people using the library on all levels…for books, movies, music, computer, meeting space, story time, playing, attending Legacy events, etc. First, we need to increase people’s knowledge of what we have available and get them into the building!
We will collect data by:
A) asking for demographic information (youth/family with young children/mature adult) on entries to the two Kindle drawings; separately identifiable forms will be used for 1) Librarian on the Loose visitors; 2) Library visit entries, and 3) Summer reading entries.
B) developing a measurement tool using a 5-point Likert Scale and open ended questions to elicit feedback and anecdotes on knowledge of library services both at the event and at the library when people bring in their token.
C) Photos of the events (to demonstrate diversity and interest).
WHAT I LIKED MOST:
Great for little kids waiting on siblings
Playing jacks
Awesome music and atmosphere!
The falls (x3)
The librarian (x2)
The puppet show
Information
Cats in the cradle
Blocks and puppets
Activities (x2)
See things kids can do
Legos (x2)
Coloring and stickers
Imagination and creativity about future of library
Coloring
Rock painting
Yardzee
OTHER ACTIVITIES I’D LIKE TO TRY:
Softball
Any musical event; juggler
Yoga +++
Lego building
Storytime, games
The very first time I was "on the loose", I met a family who had stopped coming to the library because of a bad experience. They loved the joke books and duplo blocks so much, they followed me to the next activity and then came to the library the next day and each of the 4 family members got library cards. At the end of the summer, a mom told me that these events were the only reason she got out of bed some days because her and her kids looked so forward to it!
Surveys completed at events: 30
Prize entries collected at events: 66
Surveys brought to library: 15
Summer Reading incentive entries: 35
The age group that would best describe me is:
9 or under: 6
10-17 years old: 9
18-54 years old: 7
55 or over: 7
I am in a family with young children (age 9 and under): 17-yes 12-no
Today’s event was: 9.2
Today, I learned more about the Hokah library: 3.2
I currently visit the Hokah library:
1+ times/week 7
about every 2 weeks 2
monthly 5
several times a year 0
rarely 5
I have never visited the Hokah Library 1
I would like to visit the library more! 28-YES! 0-no, thank you
The "qualitative" changes in how the community sees both me as the librarian and the library as a whole have been huge. Seeing how I engage with children 1:1 and in small groups has helped parents and care providers get to know me in a different way than they would otherwise experience. I made sand castles, caught minnows, painted pet rocks, read poems, played puppets, built Lego houses, taught Origami (or tried to...), played jacks/jump rope/Sorry!/Cat's Cradle/Bocce Ball/Volleyball.... I got in the Hokah Pool (which is filled from the neighboring pond) and led the kids in water aerobics. I rang my bike bell and waved at everyone I saw.
And I believe that doing these things made me more approachable to the community; even if they didn't know me, they now knew of me. And I became "their" Librarian on the Loose. It truly has been a wonderful experience.
Hokah Public Library, Friends of the Hokah Public Library, Hiawatha Valley Education District, Kurt Carlson Appraisals, Houston County Public Health, SELCO