I'm pretty sure I was the lone SCLD staff member at this WLA session so I thought I'd give you the skinny.
After a failed passing of a levy, Kitsap Regional Library had to figure out what to do next. They decided that the levy failed because they had not effectively communicated to the community the value of the library. In response, they created a staff-led committee with diverse members from many branches and departments in the system called C.A.F.E. (Collaborative Affiliates Fostering Education). The purpose of C.A.F.E. was to "celebrate the library system" through outreach to the community, informing them what the library has to offer.
The presenters discussed how C.A.F.E. was formed, the challenges they had to face, and their current and future projects. Probably the most crucial aspect in the formation of this group was the openness of the administration in tasking this project and allowing the committee to run with it. Staff had strong buy-in and dedication. Throughout their brainstorming sessions, they kept track of all the ideas presented and made them available. They created a Did You Know? campaign highlighting the library's services, began selling bags based on customer comments, and provided a space on their website for patrons to tell their own library stories.
It remains to be seen if their next levy will pass, but they are hopeful and much better positioned now than they were. Reaching out to community partners, creating a dialogue with their customers, and arousing a sense of pride and accomplishment in staff should go a long way in positioning themselves as a vital resource.
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