BC Library Conference 2020

Community Librarians have been an integral part of the Vancouver Public Library for over 8 years. Their work takes them outside branch walls, often working alongside marginalized groups that have been institutionally prevented from experiencing a full library service. Rather than a top-down model, where community wants and needs are mostly speculated upon, Community Librarians actively listen and empathetically pick up on local cues that, then, carefully direct and outline what the community actually wants from their public library.

While Community Librarians practice community engagement outside the branch, how does it manifest itself within the branch? In other words, how do we ensure what happens outside happens inside as well? How do we ensure there isn’t a major discrepancy between expectations of library workers outside of the branch and inside of the branch? If coordination, communication, and resources are missing, we set ourselves up with a paternalistic dichotomy – fun dad vs. rule enforcing moms.

Our panel focuses on how recent developments in patron-centered service could be the connective tissue needed for community engagement to come back full circle. How does patron-centred service reflect and enhance community engagement? How do they parallel one another? And what are the limitations faced by front-line workers when service models call for a kind of care that takes more time and privacy? If Community Librarians are one of the many arms of VPL’s service model, ultimately the service should not be an exception, but the foundation.

This session brings together Community Librarians and Circulation staff from the Vancouver Public Library talking through various perspectives, acknowledging what is happening and what is needed to coordinate, support, and enhance each other’s work. Library staff from all classifications will leave with organizational challenges, models to adopt and attempt, and thought provoking discussion.