The Embedded Librarian

I recently attended a tri-regional in-service in Brentwood, TN, which dealt with analyzing community trends and telling the library’s story by gathering data. Much of what was discussed, we were already doing at our library system, as our current strategic plan process jump-started our awareness of this concept and helped us learn new ways to gather data and access our services.

One aspect of this process that is crucial for us to be engaged in on an on-going basis is looking at community trends. We were fortunate in having the great committee of community members to give us that baseline in community vision, but it’s important to realize that this is not a one-time issue. As communities grow and change, vision changes; new things change the nature of who we are and what’s happening in our area. Because of this, we as librarians need to be constantly listening to our patrons and citizens at large.

The seminar facilitator mentioned the idea of The Embedded Librarian. It refers to proactive efforts on the part of EVERY library staff member to be intentional about building relationships in the community. Each of us are parts of groups or organizations outside of the library. Are we listening to conversations with our library in mind?

Another idea was to seek to have coffee or meet with someone new in the community. Think of these two Community Reference Questions:

•  What are your concerns about our community?
•  What is one thing you feel we're not addressing?

Whether we meet new people or hear ideas through groups we're a part of, it is important to share what we hear with library leadership. When we see a new trend happening in our communities, maybe this is an area the library can engage, partner or provide a new service.

Our tag line at Linebaugh Public Library System is Explore, Imagine, Engage. This works for us as staff members as well. The more we, as staff, explore and engage with our community “outside” the walls of the library, the more we can imagine new ways to serve and add value back to those around us through targeted materials and programming.

I encourage you to become an embedded librarian! It’s for a good cause.