Helpful Information for Meeting Minimum Public Library Standards

Each library...establishes and maintains partnerships with other educational, cultural or community organizations which enable the library to address the community’s needs, as outlined in the library’s long-range plan of service.

Collaboration and partnerships with other local organizations are critical foundations for long-term sustainability and community impact. The more bridges built to the community and within the community, the stronger the ties between the library and supporters.

To meet this standard, a library must demonstrate that it is actively partnering with one or more community organizations by working collaboratively to offer a library program or library service.  For example: Summer Reading by partnering with the school district; partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to provide services to local businesses; working with the county health department to provide opioid overdose prevention programs; partnering with literacy volunteers to offer English as a Second Language courses in the library or literacy tutoring.

As trusted centers of the community, libraries are in a unique position to attract potential partners, and to provide resources and benefits to organizations with common goals. In a time of diminishing funds and increasing demands, partnerships are essential to meeting community needs, and to sustaining an active and engaged environment for customers. (WebJunction, Libraries Building Strong Community Partnerships)

Some good examples of potential community partners include  local school districts and BOCES; preschools and nursery schools; Head Start; YMCA; museums; historical societies; community colleges and universities; arts councils; Cornell Cooperative Extension; genealogical societies; United Way; soil and water conservation agencies; governmental agencies; Small Business Administration; Chamber of Commerce; local businesses; Workforce Development agencies; hospitals; Lions and Rotary clubs; and many others depending on the community.

• Communication and Partnerships – Tools (WebJunction)
• Community Partnership and Collaboration Guide (WebJunction)
• Libraries Building Strong Community Partnerships (WebJunction)
• Library Partnerships Bring People Together (Public Libraries Online)
• Partnerships & Collaboration (WebJunction)

Consult the library system for assistance.