With tightened library budgets the norm, librarians run the risk of cutting back so much that they isolate themselves from their patrons and their communities. This doesn’t have to happen. The outreach methods detailed in this book range from simple actions to detailed processes. Each of the 26 chapters provides helpful information for both those new to library outreach and those with years of experience.

Kerol Harrod, Denton, Texas, is the creator, writer and co-producer for the award-winning children’s television show Library Larry’s Big Day. He has served in several departments in the Denton Public Library.
A Michigan resident, Carol Smallwood has practiced in school, public and special libraries. Her primary interest is practical librarianship, and she is the author of journal articles and editor of numerous books.

Edited by Kerol Harrod and Carol Smallwood
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 212
Bibliographic Info: 8 photos, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7345-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1420-5
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Foreword by Lesley S.J. Farmer 1

Preface  Kerol Harrod and Carol Smallwood 3

Part 1—Community Outreach

Creative Community Connections  Gloria Adams 5

Hospital Storytelling Outreach  André R. Powe 12

Rooted in the Community: Small and Rural Library Outreach  Michelle A. McIntyre and Melanie L. Ramsey 18

Youth Contests as Outreach  Natalie Houston 26

Annual Programs for Youth and Community  Ann McDuffie 34

Part 2—Library Partnerships

Team Outreach: Librarians Pairing Up  Shawn D. Walsh and Melanie A. Lyttle 41

It Takes a Village: A Public and a School Library Collaborate  Annie Miller 47

Part 3—Reaching Patrons and Building Bridges

Reaching Kids Who Are Experiencing Homelessness  Vikki C. Terrile 54

Booktalking for Incarcerated Teens: Scalable, Sustainable Success from the Hennepin County Home School  Sara Zettervall and Amy Mars 63

Youth Focus Groups: Finding Out What Patrons Really Want  Brittany Nethers 71

Outreach to ­Spanish-Speaking Families  Sarah Kaufman 77

Reaching Out to LGBTQ Youth  Jamie Campbell Naidoo 84

Early Literacy Outreach for Teen Parents  Corinne Sanchez and Xelena González 92

Part 4—Technology

Using (Free) Technology to Reach Out … and Bring In! Amanda Nichols Hess 102

Creating and Running a Digital Bookmaking Fair for School or Public Libraries  Stacy Creel 109

Part 5—Preschool and Elementary Outreach

Preschool Outreach: Small Public Library Programs  Rebecca D. Richardson 116

Taking Your Show on the Road: STEM and Early Literacy Storytime Outreach  Josie B. Hanneman 122

After-School Storytimes: Activities for Elementary School Outreach  Krissy Wick 129

Traveling Summer Reading Show  Carol H. Waxman and Susan M. Hansen 135

Overnight at the Library  Tami Morehart 142

Art Outreach: A Library Success Story  Mary Lou Carolan 149

Part 6—Middle School and Teen Outreach

Promoting the Library and Summer Reading Program: Grabbing the Attention of Middle School Students  Stefanie Blankenship 155

Contests and ­After-School Activities for Middle School  Leigh A. Woznick 161

Turntables and Tater Tots: Lunchroom Outreach That Works  Leah Durand, Abigail Harwood and Joseph Wilk 169

Outreach Outcome: I’m Going to the Library After School!  Joanna Nelson and Kaitlin Hoke 178

Teen Volunteers and Children’s Programs: Two-for-One Programming  Sharon Colvin 187

About the Contributors 195

Index 199

“The ideas in this book can help grow both attendance and circulation, not only among children and young adults but also their families who accompany them to the library. The book is very easy to read and has a great many useful ideas. It should be on most public or school library media specialist’s professional development shelves or personal reading lists…highly recommended”—ARBA; “value as a reference guide”—Australian Library Journal; “well-written and informative…highly recommended”—Library Media Connection; “This book offers creative, easy-to-implement outreach and programming ideas that will create positive, lasting learning experiences, build life skills, and pave the way for our nation’s budding future leaders.”—Kathleen Clauson, Western Illinois University; “Provides a broad spectrum of great ideas to invigorate your library’s youth programming…you’ll refer to this again and again!”—Suzann Holland, Director, Monroe Public Library, Wisconsin; “Library Youth Outreach offers dozens of immediately usable ideas for connecting outside the library walls…an essential task for today’s libraries.”—Elaine Williams, Highland County District Library, Lynchburg, Ohio; “This anthology has captured creative ways for libraries to instill in younger patrons that the library is a sanctuary for adventure, dreams, escape, entertainment, hope, and recognition during a time when forming lasting bonds with younger customers is more important than ever.”— Kaley Daniel, Texas Tech University Libraries; “An invaluable resource for librarians with examples of successful library programs, outreach, and community partnerships…for all ages and populations.”—Aline Wilson, retired, Hernando County Public Library System, Brooksville, Florida.