The Library as a Community Information Center

1. The Library as a Community Information Center Nancy Bolt Nancy Bolt & Associates

2. What is a Community Information Center (CIC)? • A CIC • Gathers and organizes information about the community • Works in collaboration with community groups, organizations, and government • Provides information about • Community services • The local community • Local and national government • This is a Paradigm Shift Nancy Bolt & Associates

3. To Be Successful a CIC Should • Relate to the library’s goals • Publicize the CIC to government and the community • Advocate for the role of libraries in the community • Continuously update information and contacts • Develop the technical capacity Nancy Bolt & Associates

4. Benefits of a CIC For the Community One place to find information they need A neutral place to find information Can find what different parts of government are doing Nancy Bolt & Associates

5. For Community Agencies and Government • Extends the reach of their services • Increases their visibility • See information about their services organized and combined with complimentary information • Government can make information available in a neutral setting Nancy Bolt & Associates

6. For the Library • Recognition from the community and government • Potential for donations and grants and funding • Library is viewed as a critical and vital part of the community • Attracts new users • Satisfaction of offering a needed service Nancy Bolt & Associates

7. Difference between a CIC and Reference • Intention vs. Reaction • Focus on specific type of information vs. answer general questions • Focus outside the library vs. inside the library • Specific vs. general publicity Nancy Bolt & Associates

8. Getting Started • Must have commitment of library director – sets the tone • Might need approval from governing authority • Need 2 or 3 dedicated staff who will commit to the service • Staff can come from • Web staff • Reference staff • Staff involved with community • Staff who plan library programs • Library administrators • Staff who do public relations Nancy Bolt & Associates

9. Important Skills Needed • Strong value of making connections with the community • Knowledge of or willing to learn about community services • Ability to communicate the value of the library to community and library staff Nancy Bolt & Associates

10. Capacity • The library should have in place or get: • Commitment from the library director and project leaders • Buy-in from the rest of staff • A library web-site • Ability to gather and organize information • Computers for the public to use • Library staff trained to deliver the service Nancy Bolt & Associates

11. What will be the Scope of your Service? • CIC tend to provide • Human and community information such as finding housing, a job, or health information • Information about the local community, such as schools and businesses, or tourist sites • Information about local and national government and how to participate in government, such as publication of minutes of meetings, and services offered Nancy Bolt & Associates

12. Sources of Information • Internet • Staff brainstorming • Community brainstorming • Local authorities Nancy Bolt & Associates

13. Name Contact Services Fees Haves Eligibility Limitations Gathering Information Nancy Bolt & Associates

14. Organizing and Accessing Information • On web-site • In print • By subject • Search function Nancy Bolt & Associates

15. Publicizing the Service • To agencies • To government • To businesses • To community agencies and grants • To the press and media Nancy Bolt & Associates

16. Examples Nancy Bolt & Associates