Libraries are leaders in supporting vibrant local small business economies businesses - but does your community know that? To increase visibility and engagement, libraries need strategies for communicating your value to audiences like local entrepreneurs, partner organizations, elected officials and decision-makers, and even your own colleagues. Leveraging the Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit, attendees will explore innovative strategies and free tools for outreach, promotion, building relationships, and championing both local small business and the library.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this class, students will be able to:
Effectively message the library’s economic value to four key stakeholder groups
Develop partnerships and relationships that support the library’s small business services and programs
Apply the free Libraries Build Business Communication Toolkit at their own libraries
Instructor
Audrey Barbakoff is the CEO of Co/Lab Capacity LLC, which provides community-centered consulting for libraries and social good organizations. She brings more than a decade of experience in public libraries. Her innovative and inclusive work has been recognized by Library Journal Movers & Shakers, the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal 40 Under 40, the Freedom to Read Foundation, and the Urban Libraries Council. She is certified in design thinking and sat on the advisory board of the design thinking program at the Tombolo Institute at Bellevue College. In addition to her MLIS, Dr. Barbakoff holds an EdD in organizational change and leadership. Her dissertation research focused on building organizational capacity for equity, diversity, and inclusion in public libraries through community-led programs. She is the author of Adults Just Wanna Have Fun: Programs for Emerging Adults and the forthcoming book Twelve Steps to a Community-Led Library. Find her at www.colabcapacity.com.
Intended Audience
State Library and/or Archives Agency; Network/Consortia; Public Library
Lyrasis Learning events are delivered using the Zoom videoconferencing platform and will have AI-generated captions available. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available upon request. If you need ASL or other accommodations to support your participation in the course, please contact us at es@lyrasis.org at least 2 weeks in advance of the event or as soon as possible.