The Library as a Community Information Center Nancy Bolt Nancy Bolt & Associates

What is a Community Information Center (CIC)?  A CIC Gathers and organizes information about the community Works in collaboration with community groups, organizations, and government Provides information about  Community services  The local community  Local and national government  This is a Paradigm Shift

Nancy Bolt & Associates To Be Successful a CIC Should  Relate to the library’s goals  Publicize the CIC to government and the community  Advocate for the role of libraries in the community  Continuously update information and contacts  Develop the technical capacity

Nancy Bolt & Associates Benefits of a CIC  For the Community One place to find information they need A neutral place to find information Can find what different parts of government are doing

Nancy Bolt & Associates  For Community Agencies and Government Extends the reach of their services Increases their visibility See information about their services organized and combined with complimentary information Government can make information available in a neutral setting

Nancy Bolt & Associates  For the Library Recognition from the community and government Potential for donations and grants and funding Library is viewed as a critical and vital part of the community Attracts new users Satisfaction of offering a needed service

Nancy Bolt & Associates Difference between a CIC and Reference  Intention vs. Reaction  Focus on specific type of information vs. answer general questions  Focus outside the library vs. inside the library  Specific vs. general publicity

Nancy Bolt & Associates Getting Started  Must have commitment of library director – sets the tone  Might need approval from governing authority  Need 2 or 3 dedicated staff who will commit to the service  Staff can come from Web staff Reference staff Staff involved with community Staff who plan library programs Library administrators Staff who do public relations

Nancy Bolt & Associates Important Skills Needed  Strong value of making connections with the community  Knowledge of or willing to learn about community services  Ability to communicate the value of the library to community and library staff

Nancy Bolt & Associates Capacity  The library should have in place or get: Commitment from the library director and project leaders Buy-in from the rest of staff A library web-site Ability to gather and organize information Computers for the public to use Library staff trained to deliver the service

Nancy Bolt & Associates What will be the Scope of your Service?  CIC tend to provide Human and community information such as finding housing, a job, or health information Information about the local community, such as schools and businesses, or tourist sites Information about local and national government and how to participate in government, such as publication of minutes of meetings, and services offered

Nancy Bolt & Associates Sources of Information  Internet  Staff brainstorming  Community brainstorming  Local authorities

Nancy Bolt & Associates Gathering Information  Name  Contact  Services  Fees  Haves  Eligibility  Limitations

Nancy Bolt & Associates Organizing and Accessing Information  On web-site  In print  By subject  Search function

Nancy Bolt & Associates Publicizing the Service  To agencies  To government  To businesses  To community agencies and grants  To the press and media

Nancy Bolt & Associates Examples