National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day) on April 6 should be a fun, energetic, and inspirational day for communities. It’s a way to go out into our neighborhoods, towns, and greater communities, bringing library services to the people, beyond the typically established buildings.
An initiative of the American Library Association, National Library Outreach Day can be a highly meaningful experience. View it as a great promotional tool that can have positive repercussions for the whole year and the whole community. There is a cheery Facebook page you can check out for social media inspiration, and on Twitter, it’s found at @ALALibrary. Even Pinterest has lots of ideas for visuals.
For schools and universities, the day can be a way to demonstrate that the academic library is catering to students’ needs beyond course assignments. In fact, these libraries should show students that their school libraries can offer enjoyable options. Let them know that they can interact with school libraries beyond cramming for exams and research papers.
But in general, and especially for public libraries, National Library Outreach Day brings some interesting challenges: who should be targeted? Where can libraries meet people outside of the usual locale? What activities can be programmed? How can people who are not typical library-goers be reached, and why should they experience outreach? Definitely know your area, and think about what would work in your city neighborhood, suburban town, or rural district. Planning is key but doesn’t be afraid to experiment.
Keep in mind that among the main goals for National Library Outreach Day are promoting literacy and strengthening relationships between various types of people and their local libraries. Too many Americans have a weak or ambivalent relationship with their libraries and we want to overcome that.
Where can you bring your library pop-up?
Homeless housing: the homeless are typically an underserved group, and families that live in special homeless housing might benefit from a pop-up. Perhaps pair it with reading for children, a crafts activity, and a giveaway of magazines and newspapers.
Young adults: too many young adults don’t read books or regular periodicals and newspapers. Too many haven’t read a book since they were in high school or college. To reach them and encourage their reading, bring some of the most popular trade titles, as well as an interactive event (poetry slam? Discussion group?) or a performance or traveling exhibition (book covers? “Book quilt”? Trivia game?)
Commuters: morning rush hour might be too hectic for many people, but if libraries advertise during AM rush for a PM activity, people can plan accordingly to stop by. These can be held at suburban train stations; outside major subway stations in cities; at town bus depots; or even in cooperation with a major supermarket or shopping mall, right by the parking lot?
Is there a sports event in your area on April 6th? A baseball or basketball game, or a high school sports match? Have a library pop-up with a sports theme.
Is there a concert going on April 6th? Have a music-themed pop-up by the arena. Books and DVDs of music can be offered.
Many museums have research libraries that are rarely accessed by general visitors. National Library Outreach Day is a great opportunity for these types of libraries to make their presence known. Let visitors know how they can make use of these special collections.
Farmer's Markets and community hospitals are good spots for holding a pop-up. Pair these with cookbooks or giveaways of food magazines; health books and magazines. Maybe even hold a demo of healthy cooking, yoga stretches, and related activities.
Include an online option for the library pop-up because there are still so many people in your area who are “visiting” libraries via their computers or phones. But try to encourage them to be walk-ins as well.
Swag. Never underestimate the appeal of freebies for the Outreach pop-up. Stickers? Bookmarks? Pens? Free books or magazines? T-shirts? You can easily print your own design onto stickers, bookmarks, or t-shirts.
At any pop-up, ask visitors for their suggestions on how to improve their libraries, what extra services they’d like offered, and any ideas they have for special events. These can be oral interviews or written polls. A cardboard “tree” with sticky notes and pens can prove to be a light-hearted way to elicit these suggestions.
Miscellaneous ideas for pop-up activities: how to conduct genealogy research at the library (especially now that the 1950 Census has been made accessible); how to join a writing group or local theater group at the library; board games; and offering various government-issued materials such as transit maps, tax forms, drivers manuals, etc.