Sustaining Rural Libraries

A way of saving our public libraries

Why are libraries so important?

• Provide community space

• Provide internet access

• Provide information

• Provide programming

• Open the world up to small communities

What can we do to help?

• Advocacy

• Funding

• Outreach

• Technology

Advocacy

• Reach out to community leaders

• Show library importance to community

• Let community leaders know needs of the library– Statistics– Needs assessment

• Get community leaders on your side!

Funding

• Grants– Gates Foundation– System

• Donations of money, services, volunteer time, materials

• Create a wish list

• Friends groups

• Books sales

Outreach

• Communicating and working with those who benefit from library services

• Who is your target audience?

• Broaden your target audience

• Become a valued partner in the community

Technology

• Who helps you with technology?

• What do you need?

• What groups or organizations can help you?