Re-engaging Your Community Post-Pandemic

We were excited to participate in the Indiana Library Federation conference in person this week. It marked the first time since the onset of the pandemic we have been able to attend a library conference in-person and the first time Rob and I have been able to present together in-person. We had a full room and fantastic audience participation.

Our topic addressed the big concern of engaging the community and getting them back into their library. A show of hands in the audience indicated this was a concern shared by most in the room. Libraries across the state varied in how library use was resuming, but most were not at the levels of materials circulation, programming, or building use that was seen prior to the pandemic.

COVID introduced both opportunities and challenges that we will all be dealing with for years to come. Many libraries came up with inventive new ways to provide service and found the courage to try things they otherwise may not have tried. Among the challenges moving forward will be how to modify future plans to continue some of these new services while ensuring traditional services that are still needed continue or adapt to make way for new approaches.

In working with clients across the country, it has been clear to us for a while that community members are not aware of all the library had to offer even prior to the onset of COVID-19. Now that issue has expanded due to continual updates to hours, changes to available services, and alternative program delivery. In addition, the inability to visit the library during the pandemic has changed habits and people have found alternative ways to meet their needs for the services they previously sought from the library or didn’t have the opportunity to explore them as their life circumstances changed. Now they need even more reminders that the library is still available to them and is well positioned to serve their needs. Creating plans for continuing to engage the community, understand their needs, and letting them know what the library offers needs to become a major priority as libraries open back up. During our presentation, we discussed the importance of community engagement, strategies for improving connections, ideas for getting patrons back to the library, and how marketing plays a part in that.

Community members are consistently communicating how much they love their libraries and for many the pandemic just heightened that love. Now it is critical to do all in your power to remind them of the benefits they can enjoy and the reasons they should get back to their libraries.

For more information you can access our presentation slides and worksheet.