Beth Pollard City Manager Albany, California
Public Libraries Partnership Initiative International City /County Management Association Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation How can local governments and public libraries partner to improve communities?
Today s Libraries Are Sole access for internet for many residents, while online transactions & communications are vital to education, workforce, and economy Safe place for immigrants learning English, high school dropouts preparing for GED s, youngsters completing homework, and residents accessing social services & information Civic & economic anchor that attracts residents to neighboring businesses Delivery mechanism for public information & services
The Essential Library Economic Development Public Safety Other City Initiatives and Services
Economic Development: Workforce Development Access to job databases & print listings Civil service exam materials Online test preparation Resumes and other employment materials Complete job applications
Keith Lancaster uses a computer at the Livermore library to search for jobs.
Workforce Development: Training
Workforce Development Rockbridge Regional Library Computer and Call center Teaching skills Job Training Job creation Seattle Public Library Teaches computer basics Resume creation Voice mail access, e- mail access Job Resource Center
Professor Alejandro Lobo Santamaria helps students practice their computer skills in a library created inside a series of donated train cars.
Employment Access Computer access Internet access Wireless access Training E-mail account Resume posting Matthew Jensen, CyberNavigator at the Chicago Legler branch..
Employment Access Problem of limited access to computers Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant 30 laptops and 1,000 thumb drives A job seeker uses one of the laptops and thumb drives now available at Marysville Public Library.
receiving grant and giving out flash drives.
Economic Development: Small Business Development Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD Business Center in library Small Business Corner Business Tutorials Small Business Reference Resources Business Plan Index 30 minute introductory classes Business Guides www.prattlibrary/locations/jobcenter
Economic Development: Literacy Redwood City Public Library and project READ to improve English-speaking skills Career advancement Former students as teachers Teaching inmates at the Maguire Correctional Facility and the Women s County Correctional Facility and well as the general community 2009 special commendation
Flori Orrego, right, and Sergio and Rosalina Gonzalez, left, are members of a Project Read class that meets twice a week at a Redwood City school.
Economic Development: Business attraction Neighborhood centers Pedestrian traffic Tourists/visitors Community destination New Seattle Central Library increased visitors by 299%, contributing $16 million in new net revenue Meeting space for local businesses
Seattle Central Library
Economic Development: Attracting Local Business Fayetteville, Arkansas Public Library Solar Test Bed Project Created solar-generated power to reduce utility bills at the library. Is leader in sustainability and an incubator for economic development Educates residents in solar energy Solar panels on the roof of the Fayetteville Public Library. Promotes public-private partnerships A stronger relationship between the library and the mayor s office. Chief of Staff Don Marr states that Where we ve been successful is learning how to take the library s assets, and not think about them just in terms of books or in terms of information, but how they can connect people to the things necessary to build plans and implement strategies. It is just as important as your water or your trash.
Public Safety: Law Enforcement Pendleton, Oregon Public Library Created jointly between the library director and the police chief in Pendleton Mission: To create a safe and productive environment for teens and the community. Result of young teens dealing with substance abuse, family problems, and/or becoming gang members Library and Police department share a volunteer coordinator
Public Safety: Prevention Casper, Wyoming: Library partnership with schools and local drug rehab service GED certificate assistance Space for methamphetamine treatment Fairfax County, VA: Court officer & facilitator lead groups of teens Read and discuss novels, short stories, and poems that illustrate themes such as friendship, values, choices, and consequences. Held at the public library Learn other peoples perspectives
Public Safety: Disaster Preparedness Burlington County Public Library All New Jersey libraries that attended the 2008 disaster preparedness workshops received disaster response kits Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant $10,000 of emergency supplies in case of a large-scale disaster Ensures that the emergency supplies are readily accessible to every library in the network and that volunteers will be available to help. Network libraries included are: The Burlington County Library System Willingboro Public Library Mount Laurel Public Library Moorestown Public Library Materials & Supplies: Shop Vacs Dehumidifiers Plastic Crates Brooms Hard Hats They are to be used to rapidly clean and preserve a library s contents in the vent of flood, fire or other disaster. Equipment stored in a tractor trailer Makes mobile response to other libraries in the network possible.
Unloading Disaster Response Material by New Jersey State Library
Other City Initiatives: Sustainability Iowa City Public Library ECO Iowa City Response to a tornado in 2006 and flooding in 2008 Iowa City public library partnered with the public works department, community groups, local businesses, city council members, and others Provides residents with demonstration projects and up-to-date information on sustainability, including: Storm water management Local foods and compost Smart waste disposal Energy efficiency Delivered educational content & other resources to 6,000+ residents. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation $57,000 grant
Adopt-A-Drain Program Iowa City, Iowa
ICMA Public Library Innovation Grants Fayetteville, AK - Solar Test Bed Project Fairfax County, VA: Changing Lives Through Literature Miami, OK: Miami Native American Language, Culture, and Empowerment Center Georgetown County, SC: Hurricane Project Pendleton, OR: Wired for Safety Rockbridge County Regional Library/Buena Vista, V:A: Training & Call Center Dallas, TX: Every Child Ready to Read @ Dallas Iowa City, IO: Eco Iowa City Santa Ana, CA: Connect!/Connectate!: Connecting Yourself with Your Future Conectate con Tu Futuro
As a City Manager, does your library Participate Share your mission Build partnerships Appreciate diversity Communicate Foster champions Embrace innovation
What can we do together? Partner Speak to needs How can I help you? Demonstrate outcomes Follow the story at www.icma.org/publiclibraries
With thanks to International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Innovation award winners and other Libraries and Cities cited as examples Molly Donelan, former public libraries initiative program manager, ICMA, Washington, DC Liz Miller, ICMA s public library innovations senior technical advisory, local government consultant, and former assistant city manager and library director, Tucson, AZ Kathleen Clasen, Library & Information Science program, Palmer School, Long Island University Albany CA Public Library, Alameda County Library System