Holy Outreach, Batman! Presented by: Betty Lawson Children’s Librarian Wayne County Public Library Sherry Christman Youth Services Consultant

POW! Bap!

Holy Outreach, Batman! Precisely, Robin.

Find Your Inner Superhero!

Why Outreach?  Library Bill of Rights  Bringing the library to: Under served groups Children with special needs Families in crisis/need Non users

Words Matter!  All children are born learning, but…. If a child is read to by age 3 – 1116 words If a child is NOT read to by age 3 – 525 words If a child is read to by age 6- 20,000 words If a child is NOT read to by age 6 -3,000 words - The Hart-Risley 30 Million Word Gap Study – 1995

What are YOUR superpowers?  The face of Youth Services?  Attract a crowd?  Creative?  Approachable?

Breaking Barriers

Build Relationships! Connect with Schools:  Credibility  Program flyers  Connect with teachers  Guest Reader  Volunteer

Build Relationships! Connect with Your Community:  Credibility  Board involvement  Community reading  Books to preschools/daycares  National Library Month partnerships

To the batmobile!  Go beyond your physical space  Contrary to popular opinion, size doesn’t matter!  Show up on their turf  “If we build it they will come” mentality doesn’t work!

“…in order to encourage children to come to the library, you must go where they are, honor where they come from. And understand what they love.” (Diaz, 2009, Teacher Librarian)

The Embedded Librarian! Preschools Daycares Elementary Schools Local Board Involvement Children’s Museums Housing Projects Children & Youth Services Victim Intervention Programs Life Skills Programs Parks PA One Book, Every Young Child Library field trip TO schools Books For Keeps Tail Waggin’ Tutors YMCA

Tween/Teen Outreach  Reach them at school: Clubs – Anime, Language, Book Lunch hour information table Summer Reading Book Talks Back to School Night Connect with teachers!

Tween/Teen Outreach  Social Media: Twitter, Instagram and Vine Age directed content Use library going tweens/teens to spread the word!

Alternative Outreach  Juvenile detention centers & rehabilitation programs  Community Events: Parades Community days  Senior Center

In-House outreach? YES! Truck Petting Zoo Lego Club Therapy Dogs Family Nights Rachel’s Challenge Homeschool Support Reading Star Program One on Ones with parents Quick Notes to Parents Teachable Moments

You Got ‘em… Now what?! Credibility! Family Take Home Sheets Social Media W.I.C. Pediatrician Offices Ask Them! Stay a Part of Their Lives Be seen – Be Interested

Fruits of Outreach Labor 5k’s proceeds Free Movie Saturdays Donations from parents Wish Lists granted for summer programs Great resource for community needs - Deb and Scott - VIP single mom – apt. - Out of the Darkness walk - car seat safety check - PR for other agencies /events - Early Intervention testing Kid’s Safety Fair Tanya / Jason / Lisa story

Resources Funding issues United Way Scholastic Face – scholastic.com/face Book Donations Local businesses, also donate products - Wal-Mart, Dollar stores National retailers, such as Macy’s and Target offer grants at the local level. EITC-Banks and businesses EIO- The Library and-program-finder/educational-improvement-tax-credit- program-eitc

O---Outreach feeds on outreach U--- Understand the complexities of the population T---Time is of the essence R---Reach with urgency E---Everyone is your customer A---Attitude is of the utmost importance C---Care for the needs of the population H---The Human factor needs to be in place *Avila (2008, p.48 )

Our Words Matter!

To the batcave!  Overwhelmed? Put on your Baby Cape!  Inaction is like Kryptonite to Superman…don’t be defeated!