Curtis Rogers Consulting, LLC

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New Webinar! Strengthening Communities: Effective Outreach and Partnerships for Libraries

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Dr. Curtis Rogers

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Library outreach is crucial for the communities they serve for several reasons:

Access to Information and Resources:

    • Outreach programs help extend library services to underserved populations who may not have easy access to the library, such as those in remote or rural areas, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. By bringing library services to these groups, outreach helps bridge the digital and information divide.

    Educational Support:

      • Libraries provide essential educational resources and support for people of all ages. Outreach programs often include literacy initiatives, homework help, and educational workshops that can be particularly beneficial to children, teens, and adult learners, fostering a culture of lifelong learning.

      Community Engagement and Social Cohesion:

        • Outreach efforts foster stronger community ties by bringing people together for cultural events, book clubs, workshops, and other activities. These programs promote social interaction and create a sense of belonging among community members.

        Support for Marginalized Groups:

          • Libraries often play a key role in supporting marginalized communities, including immigrants, refugees, and low-income families. Outreach can provide targeted services such as language classes, job search assistance, and access to social services, helping to integrate these groups into the broader community.

          Promoting Literacy and Learning:

            • Outreach programs aimed at promoting literacy and learning can have a profound impact on individuals and communities. Programs like storytimes, reading challenges, and mobile libraries encourage reading and learning, which are fundamental to personal and community development.

            Health and Wellness:

              • Many libraries incorporate health and wellness programs into their outreach efforts, offering information on healthcare, hosting wellness workshops, and providing resources on mental health. These initiatives contribute to the overall well-being of the community.

              Digital Inclusion:

                • In an increasingly digital world, access to technology and digital literacy are essential. Library outreach often includes training on computer and internet use, access to digital resources, and assistance with navigating online services, helping to ensure that everyone can participate in the digital economy.

                Building Partnerships:

                  • Through outreach, libraries often build partnerships with local organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies. These partnerships can enhance the services offered by the library and provide a more comprehensive support network for the community.

                  Cultural Preservation and Promotion:

                    • Libraries play a role in preserving and promoting local culture and history. Outreach programs can involve local historians, artists, and cultural organizations to celebrate and preserve the unique heritage of a community.

                    Adaptation to Community Needs:

                    • Outreach allows libraries to adapt their services to the specific needs of their communities. By engaging directly with community members, libraries can better understand and respond to local issues and interests, making their services more relevant and impactful.

                      In summary, library outreach is vital because it extends the benefits of library services to a broader audience, supports education and literacy, fosters community engagement, aids marginalized groups, promotes digital inclusion, and enhances overall community well-being.

                      I’m pleased to offer this new webinar with the first offering being held on June 13, 2024 at the Florida Libraries Online virtual conference. You can learn more about my session and the conference at the Florida Libraries Online website. Also, you can see a list of my webinar offerings with descriptions at my consulting services website.

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                      About the author

                        Dr. Curtis Rogers is a library consultant who has worked in the library and information science field for over 35 years. He has worked at the Union (SC) Carnegie Library, and the Charleston County (SC) Public Library, and retired as the Communications Director of the South Carolina State Library. He has also taught courses at the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, a Master of Library and Information Science, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. In 2001, he completed the University of the Azores Summer Study Course in Azorean Portuguese Culture and Language and in 2002 completed the Certified Public Manager credential. In 2008, he was President of the SC Library Association. Rogers developed a national library survey on library use of social media for public relations and presented this survey’s results at the 2009 German Library Association Conference and at the State and University Library of Hamburg. He has served as secretary of the board of the Library Marketing and Communications Conference and as secretary of the SC Academy of Authors, as well as chair of the USC School of Library and Information Annual Literacy Leaders (ALL) Awards Committee. He has also served on the Friends of South Carolina Libraries (FOSCL) board and is a member of the ALA CORE Library Consultants group. He is a recipient of the 2015 F. William Summers Outstanding Alumni Award from the USC School of Library and Information Science.