Library Journal's annual Best Small Library in America Award, cosponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was created in 2005 to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of libraries serving populations under 25,000. In collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and Library Journal, we are pleased to host this webinar featuring the 2012 Best Small Library in America: Independence Public Library. The multi-award-winning library’s staff of eight serves a population of 13,420 through innovative programs and partnerships, leveraging social media and the Geek the Library campaign for sustained marketing and advocacy efforts. Using a participatory management style and collaborating with other Kansas libraries, along with others in their community, IPL has reached out to individuals and partners to deliver programs and services that bring the community into the library. The session will include an overview of the nomination process and details for next year's award.

Presented by: Julie Hildebrand, IPL director; Lily Morgan, director, Learning Resource Center at Independence Community College; and Meredith Schwartz, News Editor, Library Journal.

Archive viewing options:

Note: Members sponsored by their state library can earn a certificate of completion by viewing the archive through the WebJunction course catalog.

• View full Archive (combined archive of chat, audio and slides)
• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• See follow-up article, Becoming the next Best Small Library in America

Resources and Links:

• Learning Guide for this webinar
• Independence Public Library
  • Facebook
  • IPL Pinterest
  • Library Boards Pinterest
  • Trixies' blog and Facebook page
  • Best Small Library 2012 blog
• Independence Community College Library
• IMPACT Survey
• Association for Rural and Small Libraries
• 2013 Nomination Information and announcement about award increase.
• Previous year's award winners:
  2005: Haines Borough Public Library, Alaska
  2006: Milanof-Schock Library, Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
  2007: Grand County Public Library, Utah
  2008: Chelsea District Library, Michigan and WebJunction webinar with Chelsea
  2009: Union County Carnegie Library, South Carolina and WebJunction webinar with Union County
  2010: Glen Carbon Centennial Library, Illinois and WebJunction webinar with Anne M. Hughes
  2011: Naturita Community Library, Colorado and WebJunction webinar with Naturita
• Get Geek the Library
• New Geek the Library case study: Solano County Library