What: Welcome to The Outreach Librarian, a blog grown out of the increasing presence of Outreach Librarians in Libraryland, especially academic settings and the need to exchange practical ideas. I share duties with both academic and public librarians, so this space addresses a variety of outreach needs.
Who: Lizz Zitron, Outreach Librarian at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. My position is unique in that I serve both the college community and local community. I create programs for college students, faculty, staff, and area families. I partner with campus organizations and community oganizations to assess needs and find creative ways to meet them. You can read more about my job in College and Research Library News.
Some of my activities include:
- Family Fun Night: weekly free, drop-in Friday night program for area families (we turned the library into Hogwarts! Complete with Sorting Hat, Diagon Alley, Quidditch match and Dementors for one night!)
- CarnINFOval: carnival for first year students in library to promote library resources/services
- Serving on Kenosha Big Read committee
- Workshops (free) for families on campus ranging from school readiness to connecting children’s books to math skills
- Instruction and research assistance
- Twice monthly campus e-newsletter
- and an ever-growing list of programs and services
If you would like to guest blog, share an idea or give feedback, please email me at Lizz@carthage.edu.
I hope this doesn’t sound snarky, I don’t mean it that way at all, but what is “tying children’s books” in the activities list above? I assume it is a typo, but can’t for the life of me figure out what it should be.