Library Director's Blog

Keeping Library Traditions Strong while Changing for the Better

Libraries across the nation are changing — changing for the better. Public libraries have always been the people’s resource, a civic resource and a cornerstone institution in the community, leveling the playing field and providing equal opportunity in education and information to every citizen. And though libraries continue to change and adapt their services as people’s needs and circumstances change over time, that tradition remains strong. One of the things that Hayward Public Library is working on right now that we’re excited about, is strengthening our support for nonprofit organizations that serve Hayward residents. A couple of years ago, the City’s Library department combined with the Community Services Division, which among other activities, provides grantmaking and technical assistance to nonprofits that address social service needs in Hayward. And some really cool things have come out of that combination, for example, we were able to secure a grant to establish a Nonprofit Resource Center in the public library beginning this January. The Nonprofit Resource Center will strengthen our services and support to local nonprofits, with the goal to help local nonprofits attract and bring more funding resources into Hayward to serve our community. It’s hard to picture the shushing public library of bygone years undertaking a project like this, but today it’s right in line with our mission and the current needs of our community, and we’re excited to be able to make it happen for Hayward. Another really interesting aspect of this project is a new Nonprofit Executive Seminar customized specifically for Hayward: a six-month series of advanced workshops for local nonprofit executives and senior staff to learn advanced fundraising and resource development techniques. The grant we received will cover the cost in full for up to twenty-four Hayward area nonprofit executives to participate in this outstanding program, and applications are being invited now. This is just one way in which fulfilling the library’s mission in a changing society is resulting in new and innovative services. No matter what transformations occur in libraries, that tradition of education, equal opportunity and the democratic ideal will always stay strong, and on a personal note, I’m humbled and honored to have a part to play in continuing that tradition right here in my hometown.

How Libraries and Nonprofits can work together

An article about Hayward Public Library’s upcoming Nonprofit Resource Center project recently appeared on the TechSoup website. The interviewer, Ariel Gilbert-Knight, was incredibly gracious, and wrote a very thoughtful article about the project and how it fits into the evolving roles of libraries and nonprofits in our society.

It begins by asking, “How does a librarian end up running a city’s community grant programs for nonprofits, housing rehabilitation, and paratransit program, in addition to its public libraries?” Indeed, that is a great question, one which I have asked myself a few times!

Of course, the real answer is that libraries, nonprofits, and other community organizations have a shared mission to serve others and level the playing field in their communities. And in Hayward, the combination of Library and Community Services into a single department provides a huge opportunity to learn new ways of thinking about the library’s role in the community. Here’s one quote from the article that sums up this new perspective:

In libraries, you spend 90% of your time with people who come into the library. Or with other librarians, or at library events. Everyone just automatically assumes the library is essential. It’s a slam-dunk talking to those folks. Outside of that world, it’s not just assumed, and the value of libraries is different.

Read the full article here: http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/spotlight/library-nonprofit-partnership-finds-opportunity-in-scarcity

Education is the Key

At the Library, our goal is to deliver equal opportunity in education to every Hayward resident. This is because we believe that education is the key to a stronger, brighter future for any community. Whether it’s through our early childhood education classes for young children and parents, afterschool homework help for students, literacy tutoring for adults who lack basic reading and writing proficiency, or English as Second Language training for non-native speakers of English, we place an emphasis on meeting the lifelong learning needs of every member of our diverse community. In this regard, the Library is truly the community’s learning center.

Books will always be the heart and soul of the library, but our educational mission extends far beyond books—and even beyond the four walls of our buildings. Through new partnerships and innovative programs, we continuously strive to meet our community’s changing educational needs.

For example, the City of Hayward opened a new afterschool homework center in September at Longwood Elementary School, in partnership with Hayward Unified School District. The new center provides customized one-to-one homework tutoring to students with the help of trained volunteers. Over 200 students received homework assistance in its first week of operation.

Longwood Center is also the home of Hayward’s first Public Library Book Vending Machine. It looks like a snack vending machine, but, instead of chips and candy, it’s stocked with Hayward Public Library books! The new homework center and book vending machine provide access to public library books and services where previously there was none.

Through partnership, innovation, technology, and the support of community volunteers like you, we can continue to build new educational opportunities and a brighter future for every Hayward resident—of every age. To learn more about how people can help make a positive difference in the community, visit the City’s website and its volunteering opportunities.