How do you go about starting up a new public library?

Question

I'm interested in starting a new public library in my community in Wisconsin. It is a small community of about 3,000 people. I am currently taking library director certification courses to get my Grade II certification. I've already got the "Public Library Start-Up Guide" by Christine Lind Hage. Any other websites, books, etc. out there on starting up a new public library?

Answer 1

As said in the movie "Robots" "See a need, Fill a need."  I assume that your community does not have another library just five miles away.  I assume that the school, the Rotarians, and the local lutheran church is supportive.  I assume there is a need.

Having written several grants, I know you need to express the need in clear language.  You need to assess your community resources.  You need to elaborate on what your goals will be - you can't guarantee that 8th grade test scores will rise 15% within five years of opening, but you can probably find a research paper that found similar results.  Mention it.

Even if you aren't trying to write a grant, you use the same material in talks to the Kiwanians, on your tour of the capital on legislative day when you see your state senator, when you chat with the school superintendent and you offer 15 square feet of wall space in the future children's room for highlighting star students.

The ALA is a great resource that's true, but I find that they are always looking to the future, and that's great for libraries with a strong foundation, but not so hot for newbies.  The state library association would provide you with instant colleagues who know the ropes.  There should be a listserv where you can lurk for a while and then ask questions.

Go for political advice primarily, you might see in a book that you should write a Code of Conduct and a Collection Development Policy...my advice is that those things take US weeks to proof and finalize, so why should YOU spend weeks and weeks on something to please another librarian when you won't have anything to show for it with a city councilman?  Just know that they exist, borrow a copy from a similair library, and work off their's for a couple of years until you have a bit more foundation to work from.  If someone asks "Do you have a Collection Development Policy"  Be honest and say that you're working off of Broadlane County's - "Do you have a question about a book we've purchased?"

Answer 2

Wow! I am very impressed. You might call the American Library Association in Chicago or contact the University of Wisconsin Library School in Madison for advice.

Michele Besant

Phd., LIS, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1999

SLIS Library Director

4191A Helen C. White Hall

600 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

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Answer 3

public libraries are state funded, so I would probably contact state government branch who is responsible for that.