BEST SMALL LIBRARY IN AMERICA

PASSION

BRINGING PASSION TO YOUR LIBRARY

On the Road to Best Small Library in AmericaHow the smallest library in WV gained national attention.

Where we were in 2010•Service Population: 467•Registered Borrowers: 892•Circulation of all Materials: 5,375•Library Visits: 3,094•Number of Programs: 28•Program Attendance: 299•No facebook page, no twitter account, no

pinterest account, web page listed minimal information, no brochure.

Where we are now (YE 2012 #s)• Service Population: 467 (2010 census is 496)• Registered Borrowers: 1,065• Circulation of all Materials: 6,203• Library Visits: 7,945• Number of Programs: 227• Program Attendance: 1682• Facebook Page: ~ facebook.com/southernarealibrary• Pinterest Account:~http://pinterest.com/southernarealib/• Website: (getting a renovation this summer)~ http://southernarea.lib.wv.us/• Twitter Account:~https://twitter.com/SouthernAreaLib

Our Building

Our staff

Our programming• Book Discussion Groups• Parenting Classes• Knitting Instruction• Fiberart Addicts Club• Resume Workshop• Afterschool Movies• Therapy Dog Reading Partners• Afterschool Outdoor Fun• Afterschool Parties• Tutoring• Computer Instruction• Big Heart Campaign• Summer Reading• Participant in Community Baby Shower Event at two local elementary schools• Art Class and Annual Art Show• Homeschool Girls Club• Homeschool Testing Site• Homeschool Geography Bee and Spelling Bee Site• Homeschool Portfolio Evaluations• VITA Income Tax Preparation

Understanding our library’s funding

Funding

Tax basedDonationsFines, fees, and small donationsFundraisersOther

Our fundraising•Annual book sale•Flower Sale•Adopt a book •Trustee 10-10 •A Taste of Soup•Local organizations

Some reasons given by the judges

•Our use of technology

•Our unique programs

•Our community support

Why did we win?

PASSION COMMITMENT

WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

EMBRACING TECHNOLOG

Y

What’s up next?•More programming, adults and teens•Programming Bingo to encourage

participation•Open on Mondays•Chair lift to second floor•Repainting second floor•Community partnerships•Getting our geek on one more time•Taking a new look at our marketing

efforts•Redoing our strategic plan

Now it’s your turn•http://lj.libraryjournal.com/awards/best-small-library-in-america-award-nomination-guidelines/

1.  A written explanation of up to two pages

2. Photo(s) of library, staff, and patrons3. Statistical data4. A population of 25,000 or less is eligible