Dual Use Libraries: Guidelines for Success

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Dual Use Libraries Guidelines for Success

• Dr. Ken Haycock

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Wheres the Beef?

• Combined libraries have been studied extensively
  for more than 30 years. Common advantages and
  disadvantages have been identified, together with
  typical problems. From the work of researchers in
  three countries, predictors of success have been
  identified for joint-use ventures.

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Definition

• A common physical facility from which library
  services are provided to two ostensibly different
  communities of users
• Dual use library
• School-housed public library
• Joint-use library
• Combined library
• Community library
• Co-located libraries

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Cooperation

• Courtesy (class visits)
• Specific services/groups (home work centers)
• Formal cooperation (joint programs)
• Formal Collaboration (partners plan/assess)

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Models

• Common Combined public (secular, tax-supported)
  school , more commonly high school, in smaller
  communities
• Becoming more common academic/public
• Various physical and access configurations

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Perceived Advantages

• Improved collections, resources, services, hours
• Less duplication
• Focal point for community
• Better use of public funds

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Possible Disadvantages

• Location
• Fewer Adults
• Fewer Students from Other Schools
• Instructional Issues
• Crowding
• Censorship

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Common Problems

• Conflicting Purposes/Bodies/Missions
• Formal/informal
• Role Conflict
• Qualifications/Benefits/Schedules
• Location/Context/Low Use
• Governance/Management Boundaries
• Responsibilities/Assessment
• Security for Children

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Ten Predictors of Success

• 1. Population Base
• 2. Formal Planning
• 3. Legal Agreement
• 4. Board
• 5. Integrated Facility

• 6. Connected
• 7. School Support
• 8. One Leader
• 9. Communication
• 10. Unrestricted Access

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Population Served

• Less than 10,000
• Some suggest less than 3,500
• Mainly rural historically

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Formal Planning Process

• Before opening
• Comprehensive involved the stakeholders
• Strategic environmental scan
• Roles/ responsibilities
• Time, money available
• Who does what? When?
• Choies, options on the table
• Shared vision results

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Written Legal Agreement

• Governance (e.g., policy-setting)
• Administration (e.g., ownership, reporting)
• Finance (e.g., maintenance)
• Operations (e.g., performance measures, security)
• Including guidelines for evaluation and
  dissolution

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Decision-making Board

• Or Management Committee
• Overall framework
• Develops policies and procedures
• Selects and evaluates director
• To whom report? School principal? Downtown?

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Integrated Facility

• Conveniently located
• Visibly located
• Accommodates variety of groups and resources
• Separate area for adults
• Exterior/interior entrances
• Designated parking near entrance
• Form and function

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Connected to Larger Entity

• Network, regional system or consortium
• Enhances electronic resources/ licences
• Professional development and training
• Advice/support

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Support

• School principal desires success
• Criterion in hiring and transfers
• Beyond the beginning
• Teachers support the concept
• Role of principal in leadership

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Leadership

• One highly motivated professional in charge
• Issue of qualifications
• Flexible, adaptable
• Understands environments
• Understands networking, advocacy and marketing
  critical for success

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Communication and Cooperation

• Regular communication and planned cooperation
  between public library and school staff(s)
• Pressure and support to collaborate
• Strategic plans
• Annual reports
• Recommendations for improvement

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Unfettered Access

• No restrictions on access
• No restrictions on circulation of materials
• Issue of appropriate use of technology
• Issue of filtering

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Trends/Issues

• Research base and evidence
• No unsupported belief systems mindful ignorance
• Courtesy cooperation collaboration
  collocation (co-location)
• Examples of improved collaboration
• More closing than opening

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To your success

• Dr. Ken Haycock
• School of Library and Information Science
• San Jose State University
• 2009
• Haycock, K. (2006). Dual use libraries
  Guidelines for success, Library Trends 54(4),
  488-500.