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Library outlines outreach service plan to add off-site programs, boost story times and volunteer opportunities
Summary
Camas Public Library staff presented a 2025 outreach service plan that aims to add three off-site programs, increase outreach story times by 5%, use LibraryIQ analytics to target under‑served areas and expand volunteer roles, including senior projects and fundraising support.
Elias Stapleton, librarian, presented the Camas Public Library’s 2025 outreach service plan, saying the library will “leverage existing partnerships to create 3 new off site programs” and expand outreach to reach more residents.
The plan’s headline goals include creating three new off‑site programs, increasing outreach story times by 5% from 2024 levels, and using LibraryIQ demographic tools to identify geographic gaps in patron use. Stapleton described a mix of programs at varying stages: established events with the Artisans Guild (a casual quarterly “Pencils and Pints” meetup), an off‑site Classics Book Club, an improv theater series in partnership with community education, and nature‑based events such as puppet performances at Falling Leaf Lake.
Stapleton told trustees the library provided 96 outreach story times in 2024 and that a restructured Head Start schedule reduced one weekly visit but added two with Camas [transcript: “Canvas”] Media; the plan anticipates that a small number of new venues would meet the 5% increase target. He said LibraryIQ’s overlay of census and other public data will help staff decide where to place off‑site story times and other outreach events.
The plan calls for deeper school‑district partnerships, including at least three collaborative programs with the Camas School District (for example, supporting the Book Bowl events for fourth and fifth graders) and further reader’s theater offerings through the district’s community education program. Stapleton described an artist‑in‑residence and teen chapbook project funded by the Creative Horizons Grant, with muralist Travis London scheduled for a May showing and associated workshops.
The outreach work also includes volunteering targets: formulating three new volunteer opportunities or senior projects, improving volunteer recruitment with a brochure and a city volunteer software listing, and coordinating with the local friends group on fundraising events such as a potential community run.
Trustees asked about details such as preschool outreach and use of LibraryIQ; Stapleton said the tool combines census and other public datasets to show socioeconomic indicators and patron habits, which staff will use to prioritize locations. He also asked trustees for suggestions on physical distribution points for the library’s monthly event calendar.
