Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Norrell Library chosen for Library Without Borders; anonymous donor gives $2,000 for children’s books
Summary
Board members heard that Norrell Public Library is one of six Connecticut libraries selected for Library Without Borders, that an anonymous donor gave $2,000 to purchase picture books for the initiative, and that the program’s outreach and social media work increased engagement tied to early-childhood partnerships.
Norrell Public Library is participating in the Library Without Borders program and received a $2,000 anonymous donation to buy picture books for outreach, board members were told at the July 10 meeting.
Sherrell Harris, a member of the library board, said Norrell was “one of six libraries” in Connecticut chosen for the program and that the project appears on the state website. “Everybody doesn't have Internet. Everybody doesn't get their information that way,” Harris said, describing Library Without Borders’ work placing materials and outreach in laundromats, beauty shops and similar locations.
The board was told the main library used the donated funds in coordination with the Norwalk Early Childhood Foundation and the Norwalk Early Childhood Program to provide books to children ages 3 to 5. The South Norwalk (Sono) site has been stocking books at the Carver location and recently partnered with the Side by Side charter school preschool program; donated furniture also went to those sites, Harris said.
A board member asked whether higher social media engagement has produced more program attendance or resource use. Harris said the increased engagement helps the public learn about programs and downloadable services and cited a new children’s librarian at South Norwalk who is helping turn online engagement into in-person participation.
Board members discussed press and promotional options and offered to help publicize the Library Without Borders work as part of preparations for a planned building addition. The board did not take any formal action on the program during the meeting.
