Creating Community-Building Events

Primary author: Kate Kosior

I returned to work in my hometown library nearly three years ago. Exploring my hometown and learning about the rich culture of our area has given me a new appreciation for the beautiful community where I live.

What is in this tool?

Reflective questions to help you plan a community-wide event that draws in individuals from various parts of your local community and makes new connections for them.
Steps for planning, executing, and evaluating your own community-building events.

Print Version (pdf)

People in rural communities often look to each other as a source of belonging During interviews with the Rural Libraries Resource Team, residents of rural communities pointed to their libraries as places that help them feel connected to each other through entertainment, information, programming, and fun.

This community building, brings together community members and strengthens their bonds to each other improving the community wellbeing Libraries can play a vital role in this endeavor, They can do it in fun, interesting, and informative ways.

LISTEN: “It’s just kind of nice to would be nice to I live in a smaller community where everybody kind of knows who they–who does this and why they live here. And you see people at these small town events like a spaghetti dinner, something like that. So it’s it’s nice to just meet other people who live around you.” (Adam, interview #3-2-19)

1Considerations

2Event Example

3Your Turn!

4Road Map

Considerations
The first step in any sort of community and relationship building activity is an honest assessment of your community and its needs. If you have not yet, take the Pathways to Belonging assessment to learn some possible shortfalls and strengths of your own community in cultivating a sense of belonging. It can be found at https://rurallibraries.org/pathways-to-belonging-to-be-seen-feel-known

When you’re done, return here and consider the following questions:
1. What are the strengths in my community identity? What are the weaknesses?
2. Do the people in my community feel connected to the community? To the library? To each other? Are there groups who feel underrepresented?
3. In which ways can the community be strengthened through the library’s presence?
4. What strengths and weaknesses as a director allow me to draw the community together?

Road Map

What is the purpose? What are you trying to accomplish?
What type of event might the library sponsor? For example, creating a community time capsule, scavenger hunt, day of volunteerism at local history sites, story walks, etc.
Who can help make this a reality? Will you do it yourself, or find a team of volunteers to help plan?
Which local businesses can I contact to partner or participate in the event? Think about businesses that might not ordinarily be asked, such as hardware stores, gas stations and convenience stores, local gift shops, etc.
Plan the Event

What are the steps you need to take to make it a reality?
What resources or expertise do you need to acquire before it can happen?
Schedule the event

When are people most active in your community and likely to participate?
Planning such an event in the dead of winter might be a recipe for disaster, or likewise in the heat of summer in some climates.
Do you have a special festival or event in your community that draws a large number of visitors who might participate?
Do you have a seasonal population? How will they influence your design?
Create the event materials (if needed)

List all the materials you might need here:

Does your event require special rules, clue sheets, etc? Do you need posters or signage? Think of small things like pens/pencils, tape, tools, etc.
Advertise!
Do a marketing blitz! Hang posters. Put an ad in the local paper. Use your social media channels and website to promote your event. Generate buzz before the event even begins.
Launch!
On launch day, gather a group of participants at the library. Ask the local media to get involved and come take pictures. Ask local civic groups to be sure their members come. Pass out materials and send people on their way.
Wrap up
Make a big deal out of the winners–this was hard work for them! Get photos, post the news on Facebook. Give every single participant a graphic badge for their Facebook page, so whether they win or not, they could proudly proclaim that they participated and learned about the area–this helps advertise the library even more.
Assess Outcomes
A successful community-wide activity may lead to an increase in library patron registration and circulation, excitement over the re-discovery of community resources, strengthened partnerships with outside organizations, engagement with non-patrons, and strengthened bonds between residents.

With that in mind, would you do this again? What changes would you make?
With that in mind, would you do this again? What changes would you make?
What else might you try that would help you realize your purpose and strengthen relationships?
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Responses to forms are automatically deleted from our website data base and your information is never shared. For more information about the Southern Tier Library System’s policies which govern Rural Libraries & Social Wellbeing, visit https://www.stls.org/about-stls/.

Further Resources

Want more resources on using programming to strengthen the community? See Pathways to Belonging: Delight, and Youth Empowerment.

Creating Community-Building Events

Primary author: Kate Kosior

What is in this tool?

Considerations

Event Example

Your Turn!

Road Map

Plan the Event

Schedule the event

Create the event materials (if needed)

Advertise!

Launch!

Wrap up

Assess Outcomes

Further Resources