Small and Rural Library Resources

Quick Links to Resources Related to the "Greener Pastures" Rural Library Sustainability Project Wisconsin's Discussion Forum on WebJunction WebJunction's Rural Library Sustainability Online Course PowerPoint Slides from the "Greener Pastures" Workshops TechAtlas Technology Training Tools MaintainIT, a project of TechSoup, has produced two Joy of Computing Cookbooks, "A Cookbook for Small and Rural Libraries" (a how-to guide to the care and feeding of public access computing), and "Recipes for a 5-Star Library" (to learn about wireless, print and time management, and laptop checkout programs). Information and links to the free WebJunction guide, "Sustaining Public Access Computing Programs: Technology and Management Competencies" ALA's Small is Powerful Online Toolkit for Winning Support for your Rural Library California's Rural Library Initiative

Through the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning joined forces with OCLC’s WebJunction to offer ten full-day workshops for public library directors between February and May, 2007. Nearly 270 librarians from over 250 public libraries in Wisconsin attended the workshops. The Rural Library Sustainability project is a result of an event, “Sustaining Public Access in Rural Libraries,” held by the Gates Foundation in 2004 to assess the challenges faced by small and rural libraries in providing public access computing. As a result of the input from participants representing 44 states, a number of areas were identified where libraries should focus their “sustainable energies:” Technology Support; Upgrade and Maintenance of Technology; Staff and Patron Training; Funding; Outreach; and Advocacy. These were included as a continuum in the curriculum for the workshops. The first category in the Continuum, Library Connections, is a compilation of the major theme that emerged in all of the discussions with rural and small library staff--the feeling of isolation and the sense of being all alone.

The workshops built on the theme that the landscape in rural and small libraries is changing and diverse. What may be an insurmountable challenge for one library may inspire a major accomplishment at another. Thus, the workshop's Continuum is by no means intended to be exhaustive or static. Nor is it meant to be restrictive. It is intended to serve as a starting point for assessing a rural/small library’s focus on issues of sustainability, and a guide for assisting the library in making progress in any of those commonly identified areas that they feel are important to their library. The workshops were tailored to the specific needs of the participating libraries; thus those conditions that the library systems identify as most important or challenging to their members were addressed at the workshops.

Rural libraries can also benefit from the many online resources for rural libraries on WebJunction. These include TechAtlas's tools and resources for maintaining, upgrading, and inventory of library technology; TechSoup Stock low cost programs for discounted and donated software and technology products; online learning opportunities; topical discussion forums; and administration tools. The Wisconsin "Greener Pastures" workshops also featured Wisconsin resources available and useful to public libraries such as TEACH, E-Rate, and Badgerlink (see PowerPoint Slides for topics and links).

For those who were not able to attend the Wisconsin "Greener Pastures" workshops, or who wish to review the topics in the Continuum, WebJunction has produced and packaged the workshop as a free, self-paced online course. The course is designed for any library staff or trustees seeking strategies for sustainability or for those who wish to facilitate the action planning process with their staff, library boards, or others in their rural community. The original background material and a list of workshops sites from the "Greener Pastures" workshops in Wisconsin is available here: Fact Sheet .

For questions about this information, contact John K. DeBacher (608) 266-7270

Last updated on 3/25/2008 10:10:00 AM