Partnering Strategically to Reach Beyond Library Walls

YOUmedia and Chicago Public Library Staff Hosted this discussion highlighting their effective partnership strategies and partner projects.  Sponsored by YALSA and the Future of Teens and Libraries task force.
Speakers: Jennifer Steele, Julie Koslowsky, Margaret Sullivan, Robin Willard, Taylor Bayless
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CPL’s teen area is called HOMAGO (Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out).

All of their programming is driven by the idea of Connected Learning:

·      Ideas driven by the teens’ interests

·      Take place in an open network (nonjudgmental with freedom to create in a nonthreatening space)

·      Have a shared purpose (intergenerational collaboration)

·      Academically oriented- everything contributes to possible future college/career paths.

Why are partnerships important?

·      To provide mentorship opportunities for teens

·      To expose teens to new, possible college and career pathways

·      Provide teens with positive, social, and cultural experiences

“Libraries should see themselves as a vessel to create and share information.”

Essential elements and programming ideas:

1.    Collaborative

The National Veteran’s Art Museum’s representative is very active within the library.  She meets with library staff on a weekly basis to plan programs.

Programming/Partnership Opportunities:

-  Students recreate art pieces that are on display in the museum, and write their own artist statements.  These are then displayed at the library and/or museum.

2.    Viability- Logisitics

What is each partner bringing to the table?  It must be an equal partnership commitment 50/50. Also, have clear expectations.  CPL’s teen space is drop in, teens come & go as they please.  Potential partners were made aware of this so that expectations were clear.

Programming/Partnership Opportunities:

-  Adler Planetarium’s Astronomy Program: many elements of their summer program were presented at the library, and the library was invited to their onsite events.  ie. The Planetarium hosted a “Dance Your Mass Off” program.  The library brought along a green screen with which students were able to create video/ take photos.  This was an important opportunity to showcase the library’s technology in the community.

-  Chicago Astronomical Society often brings exhibits to the Library (photo exhibits)

-  Museum of Science and Industry hosts a teen summer challenge contest every year. They offer library staff training and access to info/resources like online educational content to aid in creating library programming. Their scientists offer “Science Café” talks for the community at the library.

3.     Showcase

Results pf programming must be visible to the public whether in physical or digital form. Always ask, “What’s the showcase opportunity?”

Programming/Partnership opportunities:

-  Took the original track to songs that students were able to mix in the recording studio area of the makerspace. But they first had to take an online training (watch a YouTube video on how to use the software). Once they became “certified” as a mixer, their photo went up on the wall, prompting interest from others towards the program.  The remixes were then compiled into mixed tapes and shared.

-  Marc Bradford Project: (He was the artist in residence at the Museum of Contemporary Art) Students created works based on Marc’s ideas. At different points in this process Marc (artist) came to the library or Skyped in to connect with the students and provide feedback to them about their work. Feedback from a real artist! The works were showcased in a large space, families were invited to the event, and works were even put up for sale.

-  Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman: students created works based upon the book prior to the author’s visit. Neil was then able to view these. *We could do something like this in prep for Amy Tan’s Visit!

-  CPL has an online literary magazine/newsletter they call ULit.

 They use ISSUU publishing software (free platform for publishing online) *we should explore this platform for our newsletter.

I had to leave the program at this point unfortunately (scheduling conflicts).