Hidden patrons

DLDS funded several needs assessments around the state recently. They anticipate that requests to fund similar projects will increase as systems recognize the utility of needs assessments in learning about the particular populations they serve.

This panel discussion featured reports on four such projects.

Howard County Public Library
Speaker: Fritzi Newton

Cultural Connections project
DLDS awarded a $50k grant

1 in 9 Howard County residents is foreign born.

The largest populations are Chinese and Korean.

Hired a part-time community liaison from the targeted community.

Created native language surveys and conducted focus groups

Wrote comprehensive service plan and developed a model for other libraries to follow.

Drafted Cultural Connections updates and highlights of materials which ran in local ethnic newspapers.

Translated the systems FAQs into various languages and provided copies at all service desks.

5 steps:
Study community
Select 1 or 2 target groups
Recruit respected community partners
Hire a liaison
Build trust between community and library

Eastern Shore Regional Library
Speaker: Raineyl Coiro

Project Adelante (8 libraries) – a needs assessment for the Latino community
Project components: focus groups, ethnosurvey of 120+ participants, produced a marketing plan

To encourage participation in survey, respondents were given copies of a Spanish/English Picture dictionary.

Through survey discovered that many Latino males in their community possessed only a 3rd grade education.

Eastern Shore felt that they had to be cautious with outreach as some in their community felt that using tax dollars for service to possibly illegal immigrants was not appropriate.

Additional outcomes:
Developed "Spanish for Librarians" training.
More focused book purchases (health and law)

Final report available from presenter.

Washington County Free Library
Speaker: Kathleen O’Connell

Project Empecemos- needs assessment of Washington County Spanish-Speaking population

Conducted an ethnosurvey--which focuses on understanding a local population in broader socio-economic and political contexts.

4 focus groups; 2 with churches.

The Spanish-speaking population in Washington County is, itself, diverse.

Outcomes:
2 Basic computer classes offered in Spanish at the Central Branch

Library committed $10k for materials in Spanish

Monthly series devoted to Spanish Language film

Have applied for a 2nd grant to fund a position focused on Spanish Outreach

Have also had to tread lightly due to local political climate

Baltimore County Public Library
Speaker: Susan Waxter

Grant funded project which:
hired a consultant (Cuesta Multicultural Consulting)
conducted a needs assessment
designed new materials and services by branch
enabled them to share skills and knowledge

Targeted non-users, rather than focus their assessment on a particular ethnic group.

Recommendations for other libraries:
Identify target
Interview community leaders (could be the owner of a salon or grocery)
Prioritize needs
Determine library responses to those needs
Build on relationships you establish

BCPL is currently developing best practices and decision making docs

Lessons learned:
Needs assessment can be easy and fun
Relationships are the key
Interview = conversation
Be flexible