6.1 Troubleshooting
Many libraries face capacity challenges that can make addressing community needs a challenge. These can include challenges in all aspects of capacity, including space, technology acquisition, technology use, staff, and partnerships. Our goal in this section is to make troubleshooting capacity challenges at your library accessible, so you can feel confident in your library’s capacity to provide connected learning infused programs.
Here is a broad list of common capacity challenges:
- Small library
- Low technology budget
- Low acquisitions budget
- Small volunteer group
- Minimal teen attendance
Addressing Common Capacity Challenges
Small Library | Small Libraries often have difficulty providing space for engaging library programs, as well as compounding challenges that come hand in hand with having a smaller library, like a typically lower annual budget than larger libraries. Here, we will be focusing on space. How can you troubleshoot space capacity in a small library? Tips and tricks:
Resource spotlight: Implementing Library Technology: Small and Home Libraries (ALA) |
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Low Technology Budget | Libraries with a small technology budget often struggle to keep up with the media demands of their patrons. With technology constantly developing, it can be hard to keep up. It can also be difficult to afford enough computers to keep patrons happy. How can you troubleshoot technology acquisition with a small budget? Tips and tricks:
Resource spotlight: WebJunction |
Low Acquisitions Budget | Libraries that cannot afford many new materials are constantly on the lookout for ways to buy new books and licenses that will be the most impactful for their patrons. How can you troubleshoot new material acquisition with a small budget? Tips and tricks:
Resource spotlight: Smallwood, C., & American Library Association. (2011). The frugal librarian : Thriving in tough economic times. Chicago: American Library Association. |
Small Volunteer Group | Libraries with few volunteers might have trouble keeping up with the demands on their staff and might not be able to focus on staffing new programs in their libraries. How can these libraries troubleshoot ways to increase their volunteer population? Tips and tricks:
Resource spotlight: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers |
Minimal Teen Attendance | Libraries with very few teens attending their programs often have trouble engaging their teenage patrons. What are some ways to increase the turnout of your library’s teens?: Tips and tricks:
Resource spotlight: What I Wish I'd Known About Building Teen Services From Scratch |
