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.

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

Access Recording

• View Recording (You will be prompted to login to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls) 
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.

Related Resources and Links

• See follow-up article, Becoming the next Best Small Library in America
• 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
• 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 handouts from Chelsea
  2009: Union County Carnegie Library, South Carolina
  2010: Glen Carbon Centennial Library, Illinois, and WebJunction webinar with Anne M. Hughes
  2011: Naturita Community Library, Colorado, and WebJunction webinar with Naturita
  2012: Independence Public Library, Kansas, and WebJunction webinar with Independence
  2013: Southern Area Public Library, West Virginia, and WebJunction webinar with SAPL
  2014: Pine River Library, Colorado, and WebJunction webinar with Pine River
  2015: Belgrade Community Library, Montana, and WebJunction webinar with Belgrade