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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT <br />Outcome <br />The community is strengthened through the active facilitation and/or participation by the <br />library in efforts to gather input, engage in meaningful discussions, and act in partnership to <br />support community -wide growth and transformation. Library affiliates (friends and/or <br />foundation organizations) are aligned to strengthen the connections between the library and <br />the community. <br />Overview <br />The community is integral to any decision made concerning library <br />operations. Libraries and communities have an interdependent Libraries and communities <br />relationship. Communities provide funding, opportunities to have an interdependent <br />collaborate and advocate for the library's work and role in meeting <br />community needs. Libraries contribute to the economic health of the relationship. <br />community, collect the memories of the community, and provide a <br />place where people can explore, learn, access resources, share ideas, and be transformed. The library is also an <br />asset that can be of great value when addressing community -wide issues and opportunities. <br />The Library Governing Authority and staff search for opportunities to cooperate with other community <br />organizations, including other libraries, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private <br />sector in order to embed librarians and library services in the community and ensure healthy communities <br />that understand the value of libraries. <br />Library staff uses many means to reach out and partner with the community in order to stay <br />knowledgeable and engaged. In addition, opportunities for community involvement within the library are <br />available to volunteers. Cooperation may include sharing of resources, staff expertise, training <br />opportunities, or other joint activities. Staff representation in other community organizations is essential in <br />complying with this standard. <br />The library has a friends group and/or a foundation that assists the library with fundraising, advocacy and <br />outreach in the community. Resources from these organizations supplement rather than replace the <br />library's operating budget. <br />COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHECKLIST - BASIC <br />1. Embrace the importance of community -wide connections by meeting with and supporting local <br />groups. <br />2. Establish cooperative agreements between the library and other agencies for shared programs and <br />services. <br />3. Participate as an active member and leader (and host) of community groups. <br />4. Recruit community volunteers for support as defined in the library's written volunteer policy. <br />5. Ensure that a staff person is responsible for volunteer coordination and training. <br />9 <br />