+44 (0) 1273 386849Engaging and growing your community of library members
Community libraries are more than just repositories for books – they are the heartbeat of local communities. As many former local authority libraries transition to community-led models, the need for sustainable plans to keep them running has never been greater. Without engaged members, these vital spaces risk fading away.
How do you ensure that your community library remains relevant, accessible, and welcoming to an ever-evolving community? This post explores strategies for reaching and retaining library users, fostering active communities, reaching diverse groups, and adapting services to meet evolving needs.
Making sure that people come through your doors
“Architecture is really about well-being. I think that people want to feel good in a space.” – Zaha Hadid
This insight highlights an often-overlooked aspect of community libraries: their physical space. A warm, welcoming environment not only attracts visitors but also encourages them to return. Whether it’s a modern, airy space or a charming, historic building, the way a library looks and feels can significantly impact its success. Your space matters.
After listening to various community library administrators, I’ve learned that a community library is more than just a place to borrow books. It’s a warm, comfortable place where people can socialise, and enjoy spending time. To keep members coming back, you must create an inviting atmosphere and offer services that meet their needs.
Whatever the state or history of your wider library space, there will be challenges which will impact the way you deliver your service, or even how you fundraise. For example, some community libraries cannot hold raffles, bingo evenings, or anything related to gambling.
One community library administrator I spoke with explained that they wanted to make the library as attractive as possible. They invested in aesthetic improvements – freshly painted planters and new outdoor seating. Inside they opened a now popular and lively café. These changes have made a real difference in the feel-good factor of their visitors!
Making sure that people find the books they want
An inviting space is only the beginning. To keep people coming back, your library must offer an engaging, accessible collection. Your book stock (or other loan items) and how your members can locate items they need are important. One of the community librarians told me how they had streamlined their inherited local authority book collection.
As all librarians know, not all books are valuable or useful. If you have limited shelf space, be selective. They had to offload sections such as gardening, travel, medicine, crafts, and recipes to focus on high-demand genres such as crime fiction, children’s books, and graphic novels – especially to attract young adult readers.
Note: People love to donate second-hand books because they see it as a generous, community-minded gesture. Ensure there is a comprehensive policy in place to avoid embarrassment or having to accept damaged or outdated materials. Your policy could include the possibility of books being sold for fundraising efforts, if appropriate.
People are increasingly tech-savvy! Put your library catalogue online so your members can search the library collection and manage their loans. Therefore, choose your library management system for your community library wisely – you need it to be simple, affordable, accessible, and well-supported by a friendly team.
Making sure everyone is talking about you and your events
An online catalogue is just the start of your digital engagement. Successful community libraries must harness all kinds of outreach methods to expand and engage their audience. Social media platforms like Facebook allow libraries to foster an online community, share upcoming events, and celebrate milestones.
One of the challenges community libraries face is attracting diverse age groups. Young adults, in particular, can be difficult to engage. Think about where your harder-to-reach audience usually gathers and when you find them, ask! Here are some ideas that you can consider:
- Partnerships with local schools: One community library administrator I spoke with has set up a homework club with their local school. Once a week, pupils gather to do their homework in the library, whilst being served homemade cake and cold drinks.
- After-school clubs: Open your space to game time, book clubs, poetry readings, karaoke, podcast recordings – what do your young people want? Ask your school and college contacts, local government children and young peoples’ departments. Ask how you can help, listen and participate.
- Partnerships with local residential care communities: Personal outreach is also a great approach. In the past, I have helped create boxes of books for people who are unable to get to the library. This proved popular and generated a lot of goodwill.
Consider hosting events that will attract a wide range of people, or coincide with seasonal dates or wider community events.
- “Human Library”: This is a great way to get people to talk to each other in the community. Business leaders, artists, knitting experts(!), educators, basically anyone in your area with a story to tell. You might be surprised at who you find in your community!
- Lecture and workshops: You could offer digital literacy, online safety, privacy classes for older adults or even language taster classes for people who want to know more about a particular culture or language. The possibilities here are only limited by time, resources and physical space.
- Seasonal events: If you have limited space, you could partner with a local cafe, school, or other community space to organise a couple of events a year to raise your library’s profile. Consider Santa’s Story Time or a summer reading challenge.
- Recordings: If space is an issue, consider recording smaller sessions as a webinar or podcast to share to a wider audience. The technology for this sort of online endeavour is far more intuitive and easier to use than ever.
All of these events and initiatives will provide content for your social media channels. However, you should never underestimate the power of actual word of mouth – get your community talking about you face-to-face to your face!
Making sure you listen and learn from your library members
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” – Margaret J. Wheatley
Ideas are cheap and easy to generate but in reality, I appreciate that implementing them is expensive and time-consuming. How do we decide what to offer to library members? One of the best ways to understand what your community needs from the library is to ask the people who see it firsthand – your volunteers.
They are the ones greeting visitors, helping members, answering questions, and noticing which services are popular (or underused). They hear what people are asking for, what frustrates them, and what keeps them coming back. By tapping into these everyday observations, libraries can evolve to reflect real community needs.
As discussed above, many community libraries now offer more than just books. Listening to your volunteers and members helps ensure your library remains relevant, welcoming, and genuinely useful to the people who rely on it. This is a short list of the various services I have seen while researching community libraries.
- Free Wi-Fi and printer/computer access
- Quiet work spaces and meeting rooms
- Mental health and wellbeing resources
- Coffee and social spaces
Conclusion
The lesson from successful community libraries is clear: engagement isn’t just about books. It’s about creating a vibrant, welcoming space where people feel at home, whether they’re borrowing a novel, attending a workshop, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee with friendly faces.
By continually evolving, listening to the community, and supporting volunteers, community libraries can not only survive but thrive. An attractive physical space with an engaging and interesting collection of books is a great start!
Try Simple Little Library System for Free
Contact us to discuss your library needs. We promise a swift response, ensuring your queries are addressed promptly.
We’re offering a Free One-Month Trial, with no obligations, or credit card requirements, allowing you to experience our service’s value and ease firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. How can I increase membership in my community library?
Focus on outreach initiatives like local events, partnerships with schools and community groups, social media promotion, and offering activities that meet local needs and interests.
2. What are the best ways to engage existing library members?
Keep members engaged through regular communication (newsletters, social media), themed events, book clubs, volunteer opportunities, and responding to their feedback and interests.
3. How can I make my library more welcoming to new visitors?
Create a warm, inclusive atmosphere with clear signage, friendly volunteers, accessible spaces, and a simple onboarding process for new members.
4. What role do events play in building a library community?
Events create opportunities for social connection, learning, and cultural enrichment. Seasonal celebrations, local author talks, or children’s story time sessions help bring people together and encourage repeat visits..
5. How can digital tools help grow library membership?
Use online catalogues, social media platforms, and email newsletters to keep members informed and engaged. A well-maintained digital presence can attract new members and promote your services widely.
6. What types of partnerships help expand library reach?
Partner with schools, local charities, faith groups, and community centres. These collaborations can help share resources, attract new audiences, and strengthen your library’s role in the wider community.
7. How do I measure engagement in a community library?
Track visitor numbers, event attendance, volunteer sign-ups, newsletter open rates, and social media interaction. Regularly reviewing this data helps you refine your approach and celebrate successes.
8. How can I attract younger members to my library?
Offer age-relevant content and activities such as graphic novels, study spaces, gaming events, or digital literacy sessions. Social media outreach and peer-led events can also resonate with younger audiences.