When libraries look to expand or revitalize the programs and services that they offer, they often turn to their community for inspiration and ideas. And the best way to learn what the community wants, is to ask, listen and observe! Using a design thinking approach, libraries can apply a variety of community discovery tools, such as dot boards, intercept interviews, or interactive workshops to gather insights into the needs and aspirations of community members. With a deeper understanding of the community, libraries can explore the possibilities for responding to community members’ ideas and suggestions.

As you gather a range... Read more

A trivia championship, a teen writing contest, and a fine-free library card for educators are some of the highlights in this fresh edition of our Social Library series. The featured libraries use Facebook to connect and engage with community members, sharing information about programs and events. If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition, let us know via social@webjunction.org or find us on Facebook.

Lancaster Public Library in Pennsylvania is hosting their final Are You Smarter than a Librarian? Grand Championship, a benefit raising funds for the library. "Assemble your team of trivia gurus and... Read more

In true back-to-school fashion, September brings a wealth of learning opportunities for library staff, trustees and friends. From fundraising to partnerships, and from teamwork to teens, this list is sure to bring you new insights and inspiration. This list of 79 webinars collected by the Wyoming State Library and updated monthly on the Free Training page, where you can also view the offerings by category.

For additional training, check out the WebJunction Catalog, free and open to library staff and volunteers everywhere.

September 3

Relationship Building = Repeat Business (Utah State Library)
Learn how to create stronger relationships... Read more

When it comes to marketing the library, most people have a few big questions on their minds: How do I create engaging social media posts? What's the best way to manage the workflow across my library system? How can we reach non-users to find out what would turn them into users?

That last question has challenged library staff for ages. The response is usually, "Conduct a survey or convene a focus group." Those projects, however, get data from very small samples. And those non-users are tough to reach. They don't follow your library on social platforms and may not... Read more