Library Board

Keene Memorial Library Board Meeting Pinnacle Bank Board Room (1st Floor) 1030 N Broad St, Fremont NE 68025 6:30 P.M. July 20, 2026 AGENDA Call to Order/Notice of Meeting 1. Roll Call 2. Motion to adopt the current agenda for July 20, 2026, regular meeting 3. Dispense with and approve June 15, 2026, minutes (attachment) 4. Reports a. Library Director’s Report i. Month in Review – (attachment) ii. Statistics – (attachment) iii. Board CE Update (need 20 hours by 12/7/2028 – project having 5 as of 7/21/2026) b. Friends of the Library Report c. Finance-Library Expenditures Reports for June 2026 (attachment) 5. CE Opportunity: What's Your E™? - The E's of Libraries ® – 60-minute webinar recording from United for Libraries. Description: You know that your library is vital to your community, but how do you communicate its importance to elected officials, community leaders, funders, and other key stakeholders? How can you talk about what your library does using their language? Learn how to use The E’s of Libraries® – Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Empowerment, and Engagement – to demonstrate why your library is essential. 6. Discussion of What’s Your E™? – The E’s of Libraries ® content 7. Adjournment Next Regular Board Meeting – Monday, August 17, 2026, Pinnacle Bank Board Room Agenda posted online at www.fremontne.gov/library and emailed to Library Board members on July 15, 2026. This meeting is preceded by a publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune, and the agenda is available at the front Circulation Desk of the Keene Memorial Library, 1030 North Broad Street. A Copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted at the entrance of the meeting room. The Library Board reserves the right to go into Executive Session at any time. The Library Board reserves the right to adjust the order of items on this agenda. This page left blank intentionally  Keene Memorial Library Board Meeting Pinnacle Bank Board Room (1st Floor) 1030 N. Broad St, Fremont, NE 6:30 P.M. June 15, 2026 Minutes Held in the Pinnacle Bank Board Room (1st Floor) and Board President Becky Pence called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Roll Call The following members were present: Tina Barham, LeAnn Rathke, Ryan Fiala, Mike Raasch, and Becky Pence. Also present for the meeting were Laura England-Biggs, Library Director; Sally Ganem, City Council Liaison, and Tracy Swanson, Senior Office Associate. Senior Office Associate Tracy Swanson will be recording the meeting minutes. Notice of Meeting and Agenda This meeting was preceded by a publicized notice in the Fremont Tribune and the agenda posted at the 1st floor circulation desk of the Keene Memorial Library, located at 1030 North Broad Street, and distributed by email. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted continually for public inspection and is located near the entrance of the meeting room. Agenda Motion to adopt the current agenda for the June 15, 2026, regular meeting. Board Member Rathke made a motion to adopt the current agenda for the June 15, 2026, Library Board Meeting, and it was seconded by Board Member Fiala. Ayes: Barham, Fiala, Raasch, Rathke and Pence. Motion carried 5-0 with 0 absent. Reading of Minutes Board Member Raasch made a motion to approve the May 18, 2026, Library Board minutes, and it was seconded by Board Member Barham. Ayes: Barham, Fiala, Raasch, Rathke and Pence. Motion carried 5-0 with 0 absent. Reports Library Director’s Report Board member Barham made a motion to receive the Best of Fremont award flyer and it was seconded by Board Member Rathke. Ayes: Barham, Fiala, Raasch, Rathke and Pence. Motion carried 5-0 with 0 absent. Month in Review No action taken. Statistics No action taken. Friends of the Library Report No action taken. Finance – Library Expenditures Reports for May 2026 No action taken. With no further business, the motion to adjourn was made by Board Member Rathke, seconded by Board Member Fiala; Time: 7:09 p.m. Ayes: Barham, Fiala, Raasch, Rathke and Pence. Motion carried 5-0 with 0 absent. Next Regular Board Meeting will be held July 21, 2026, at 6:30 pm in the Board Room (1st Floor) located at Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N Broad St, Fremont NE. Prepared by Tracy Swanson, Senior Office Associate Signed by LeAnn Rathke, Board Secretary  Keene Memorial Library Monthly Director’s Report – Laura England-Biggs May 18 – July 25, 2026 CE Attended (Laura): • Make the Most of Your Library's UniversalClass Subscription • ARSL (Association of Rural & Small Libraries) TRAIN (Training, Roundtable, and Informational Networking): Customer Service in the Age of Burnout • Core Forum: Project Management • Bridges out of Poverty- Non-profit sector • Incident Reporting - BI Reports • How to Handle Problematic Behavior and Enforce Rules • Facilitation Workshop/Q&A • ARSL TRAIN: Marketing Roundtable Week of May 18 – 23 Thursday the 21st the library hosted Governor Pillen and Secretary Turner from the Department of Housing & Urban Development for a roundtable discussion of expanding access to affordable housing with key players in the local area. Everything went smoothly, and members of both staff were impressed with both the facility and our service. Summer Reading Program Kids & Teens Kickoff was held on Friday the 22nd. Despite rainy weather in the morning, there was a large turnout of 340 people to enjoy face painting, temporary tattoos, and of course, signing up for SRP. Week of May 25 – 30 The first ever Adult SRP kickoff party was held Thursday the 28th. With snacks from Backyard Casual Catering and mocktails created by the staff (The Great Mintsby and 20,000 Leagues), a very appreciative crowd of 70 enjoyed craft stations and signing up to read for prizes. Week of June 1 – 6 Adult programming dug into history with Highway Paleontology on Thursday the 4th. Kids met lots of different animals when Wildlife Encounters were here Monday June 1. Out and About Storytimes kicked off Tuesday June 2nd, continuing through June and July by taking the show on the road to locations such as Splash Station, Dunklau Gardens, Fremont Therapy and Wellness, and more. Week of June 8 – 13 Stomp Chomp Roar was the next Monday program, and a Tea-Rex Party took place Thursday the 11th.  Keene Memorial Library Monthly Director’s Report – Laura England-Biggs Week of June 15 - 20 Annual favorite Big Trucks took place this Monday and a record-breaking 467 people came out to look at the vehicles and enjoy Scouty’s Shaved Ice treats (sponsored by Friends of Keene Memorial Library). Jurassic Park Trivia for ages 12+ was held Thursday the 18th where 8 people competed for top honors. Week of June 22 – 27 Jeff Quinn’s Jurassic Magic did not disappoint the almost 500 attendees between the two shows. The library welcomed some new members of the crew – two sets of chicken eggs in incubators were added to the children’s area. Classes were held by the Extension, who provided the eggs and incubators, covering Look Who’s Hatching and Embryology. (They are anticipated to hatch before our meeting on July 20.) Week of June 29 – July 4 Our first visit from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, which closed out June’s Monday programming, saw 500 people between the two shows. CivicPlus Kickoff Meeting on June 30 – Fremont Library, NE: We are moving our website to the CivicPlus platform for more consistency between City and Library online presence, as well as better usability for our patrons. This project is being led by Laura, Chelsea Bollom (Circulation Manager) and Justine Ridder (Youth Services Librarian). Week of July 6 – 11 Design of a mock CivicPlus website was prepared by Chelsea using sample sites and Canva – sent to CivicPlus along with required deliverables. Jr Stem Lab, designed for Kindergarten through 3rd grade, started this week. It features Bee Bots, small robots which were purchased through a grant from the Nebraska Library Commission/Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding, The Friends provided the match required by the grant. Week of July 13 – 18 CivicPlus Design Discovery meeting Wednesday at 2 pm Our remaining eggs are expected to hatch Wednesday or Thursday this week. Thursday the 16th we’ll host a Taylor Swift Trivia for individuals 12+. Week of July 20 - 25 Jr Stem Lab wraps this week. SRP starts winding down, although we still have events next week: Teen D&D, Book Bling for teens, and Dinolympics are all on the schedule! Last day to log reading for prizes is Friday July 31.  Keene Memorial Library Statistics Fiscal 2026 Door Count # Adult Items Circulated May Jun YTD May Jun YTD 4,471 5,586 41,093 3,857 3,648 32,916 Av. Daily Attendance # Children/YA items circulated May Jun AVG May Jun YTD 178 214 182 5,611 7,030 50,901 Meetings held Download Checkouts May Jun YTD May Jun YTD 103 114 1,028 8,729 8,519 77,440 Meeting attendance Average Daily Circulation May Jun YTD May Jun AVG 517 402 4,914 731 741 717 youtube.com/@whofi | support@whofi.com | whofi.com  Keene Memorial Library Statistics Fiscal 2026 AWE Computer Use - minutes AWE Computer Use - sessions May Jun YTD May Jun YTD 14,799 0 150,159 383 0 27,442 Web Visits Who's on my Wi-fi May Jun YTD May Jun YTD 14,184 9,908 132,342 3,196 3,325 32,938 On-line Learning Sessions Database sessions May Jun YTD May Jun YTD 309 163 2,120 3,544 5,060 32,506 Internet/Computer Use Public Printing (pages) May Jun YTD May Jun YTD 429 464 4,213 1,845 2,273 19,517 youtube.com/@whofi | support@whofi.com | whofi.com  CHILDREN & Teen AUGUST 2026 Programs SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 10:00 AM Storytime 10:30 AM Reading Tails* 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 4:00 PM 10:00 AM last day to Storytime Busy Baby Lego Club Storytime redeem SRP Storytime prizes! 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 4:00 PM 10:00 AM Storytime Busy Baby Lego Club Storytime Storytime 1:00 PM Crafternoon 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 4:00 PM 10:00 AM Storytime Busy Baby Lego Club Storytime Storytime 6:30 pM Bilingual Bedtime Storytime 23/30 24/31 25 26 27 28 29 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 4:00 PM 10:00 AM Storytime Busy Baby Lego Club Storytime Storytime Follow us online! *Registration Required—check out our website for more information.  August 1st Ready for Kindergarten 10:00-10:30 AM Tuesdays COMING SOON! 10:00-11:00 AM Saturday Open to kids of Designed for children ages 2-5 all ages and September 14th and their caregivers. Stories, art, their caregivers. 1:00-2:30 PM & manipulatives, and sensory Storytime Enjoy stories, 6:30-8:00 PM stations will help build the skills songs, and a craft. Golden Sower needed for Kindergarten. This book club will be reading the Honeybee Busy Baby Storytime August 1st Book Club Category. Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 AM They will meet the 10:00-11:00 AM Reading aloud to first Monday of Designed for babies from therapy dogs can every month. birth to 24 months. Enjoy *Registration stories, rhymes, and open play. increase children’s reading skills and Required self-confidence. (Registration Reading Tails *Registration opens Aug. 3rd) Lego Club Thursdays Required 4:00-5:00 PM We supply the Lego bricks, August 11th September 21st you supply the imagination! 1:00-3:00 PM 1:00-2:30 PM & Join us between 6:30-8:00 PM 1-3 PM for Storytime This series will be Fridays back-to-school focused on using & first Saturday of the month themed Perler beads! STEM Lab Micro:Bits and 10:00-10:30 AM Crafternoon Blue-Bots. Open to kids of all ages and their caregivers. Enjoy stories, *Registration songs, and a craft. Required August 20th (Registration 6:30-7:00 PM opens Aug. 17th) Hours: Monday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM Enjoy stories, songs Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM and a craft in Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Thursday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM English and Spanish! Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Pajamas welcome. Storytime Saturday: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Bilingual Bedtime Sunday: CLOSED 1030 N Broad St, Fremont, NE 68025 (402) 727-2694 www.fremontne.gov/library  ADULT AUGUST 2026 Programs SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6:30 PM Time Travelers Book Club 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2:00 PM 9 AM - 1:30 PM Pageturners Blood Drive* Book Club 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2:00 PM 6:30 PM Craftin’ Around* DIY Pollinator Water Station* 23/30 24/31 25 26 27 28 29 6:30 PM History of Cinema in Fremont Follow us online! *Registration Required—check out our website for more information.  August 20th Book Clubs UPDATE 6:30 PM D RA W ROF T I T N A L P Our Seed Library will Celebrate World Time Travelers Book Club be closed from Honeybee Day by Labor Day (Sept 7th) - coming in and DIY Pollinator August 4th Plant It Forward January 2027. Keep making your own 6:30 PM Ke ry yr en a b your eye out for our pollinator watering ne eM i br ar station for your e m o rial L iL l re-opening in Join us to discuss air o m e M e Water Station garden. Decorate a West with Giraffes by Seed Library February 2027! bamboo rod with Lynda Rutledge. shells that can be filled with water for safe hydration for August 14th bees, butterflies, 9 AM - 1:30 PM and other insects. Please visit Must be 19 or older RedCrossBlood.org to attend. and enter *Registration Pageturners Book Club “KeeneMemorial” Required August 12th to schedule an Blood Drive 2:00 PM appointment. Everyone who August 25th Join us for an gives blood in August will earn a 6:30 PM open-book Come and learn discussion on what $20 Amazon gift about the history of card! film in Fremont, people have been dating back to the History of Cinema reading lately to 1800’s, as well as get ideas for your various theaters and next book August 18th rental stores that selection. 2:00 PM used to be here in town. No registration is in Fremont Craftin’ Beaded Plants Make a plant that required. Hours: Around never dies with our Monday: 9:30 AM -8:30 PM mini beaded plant Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM craft! No green Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM thumb needed! Thursday: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM Must be 19 or older Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM to attend. Saturday: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM *Registration Sunday: CLOSED Required 1030 N Broad St, Fremont, NE 68025 (402) 727-2694 www.fremontne.gov/library  NLFS001 Auditors Trial Balance Accounting Period: 9/2026 Fund(s): 001 - General Fund Report Generated on Jul 13, 2026 10:21:46 AM Page 1 Fund: 001 - General Fund Account Account Description FYTD thru 06/30/2026 Original Budget Encumbered Budget Balance Prior Year Prior Two Years (prelim) Actual Actual 001-2031-419.20-12 Communications 885.30 2,999.00 399.84 1,713.86 2,598.96 1,376.70 001-2031-419.20-65 Service Agreements 60,743.06 56,506.00 10,731.00 (14,968.06) 53,612.21 31,224.96 001-2031-419.20-99 Other Contractual Service 2,794.00 850.00 (1,944.00) 1,349.18 4,009.52 001-2031-419.30-55 Software 3,961.20 001-2031-419.30-56 Parts/Mach & Equipment 7,363.46 7,100.00 (263.46) 3,609.70 20,678.61 001-2031-455.10-10 Salaries/Wages 570,077.45 841,040.00 270,962.55 757,209.64 627,836.00 001-2031-455.10-14 Health Insurance 180,023.79 261,423.00 81,399.21 219,589.09 204,536.88 001-2031-455.10-15 Overtime Wages 59.69 (59.69) 22.14 260.24 001-2031-455.10-22 FICA/Medicare 40,844.54 60,781.00 19,936.46 54,380.18 44,490.36 001-2031-455.10-23 Pension 24,750.42 38,559.00 13,808.58 31,925.82 23,042.81 001-2031-455.20-11 Postage & Printing 1,600.00 3,400.00 1,600.00 200.00 3,200.00 1,634.00 001-2031-455.20-13 Training & Travel 7,618.47 10,000.00 2,381.53 6,080.52 7,504.89 001-2031-455.20-14 Freight & Express 22.58 (22.58) 27.00 001-2031-455.20-33 Legal Advertising 195.36 500.00 304.64 66.50 52.79 001-2031-455.20-41 Utility Services 62,142.92 87,500.00 25,357.08 76,908.26 64,326.41 001-2031-455.20-43 Gen Admin Svc from DU (1,700.00) (1,700.00) (3,802.72) 001-2031-455.20-60 Repairs & Maintenance 21,385.49 10,000.00 957.51 (12,343.00) 26,149.08 6,924.51 001-2031-455.20-65 Service Agreements 18,976.76 30,531.00 27,460.28 (15,906.04) 28,432.22 47,425.90 001-2031-455.20-70 Rents 496.62 700.00 331.08 (127.70) 662.16 510.28 001-2031-455.20-93 Dues & Subscriptions 1,970.76 1,845.00 (125.76) 2,160.47 1,962.40 001-2031-455.20-98 Taylor collection 500.00 500.00 001-2031-455.20-99 Other Contractual Service 8,908.75 12,280.00 714.00 2,657.25 27,678.79 19,202.78 001-2031-455.30-31 Office Supplies 3,090.54 9,500.00 153.30 6,256.16 7,840.77 11,295.97 001-2031-455.30-35 Printing 38.91 600.00 561.09 524.82 154.77 001-2031-455.30-41 Food Supplies 273.08 1,000.00 726.92 564.10 607.71 001-2031-455.30-44 Fuel/Oil/Grease 21.32 200.00 178.68 43.27 31.56 001-2031-455.30-49 Bldg/Structural Materials 5,680.44 10,000.00 26,191.00 (21,871.44) 11,068.54 8,895.28 001-2031-455.30-51 Books & Periodicals 104,727.71 180,000.00 60,887.61 14,384.68 155,363.90 133,529.01 001-2031-455.30-58 Horticultural Supplies 41.02 2,000.00 1,958.98 1,439.72 001-2031-455.30-63 MV Fuel Parts 50.00 50.00 10.58 001-2031-455.30-76 Signs 1,000.00 522.00 478.00 1,056.63 233.59 001-2031-455.30-79 Other Commodities 9,535.59 24,500.00 640.59 14,323.82 6,766.86 29,198.77 001-2031-455.40-11 Furniture & Fixtures 7,390.84 8,840.00 1,449.16 419,610.46 001-2031-455.40-13 Bldg/Improve Acquisition 1,634,780.73 001-2031-455.40-90 Capital Under $5,000 999.99 1,700.00 700.01 3,237.91 001-2031-455.40-99 Other Capital Outlay 9,460.00 4,628.87 4,831.13 13,539.60 001 - General Fund Total 1,142,658.86 1,673,664.00 135,217.08 395,788.06 1,493,288.90 3,349,326.09 User Name: Laura Anderson  TM What’s Your E? : The E’s of Libraries® Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Presenters Alan Fishel Chair, The E's of Libraries® Task Force United for Libraries Board Member Partner, Arent Fox, Washington, D.C. Charity Tyler Executive Director, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Public Library Foundation United for Libraries Board Member Paula Miller Director, Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library The E’s of Libraries® Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Libraries & The Reality- Perception Gap On a scale from essential, to nice-to-have, to obsolete • Perception of Far Too Many People: Libraries are either nice-to-have or obsolete • Reality: Libraries are Essential in Numerous Ways Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Reality Perception Gap Exists for Two Main Reasons •Past Perception Hurdle •Lack of Dominant Activity Hurdle Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Past Perception Hurdle Many people view libraries based on their past perceptions – they believe libraries are a good place to go to borrow books, but believe they are now largely outdated. Other people view libraries as primarily providers of information, but think that any information you need can be found online. Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Lack of One Dominant Activity Hurdle Libraries do many great things; they do not, however, have one dominant specific function. Most entities that are viewed as essential have one dominant activity (e.g., schools educate and hospitals heal). Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Addressing the Hurdles Libraries may need to utilize messaging that addresses the hurdles in order to overcome the hurdles and eliminate this realty perception gap. Messaging that does not address the hurdles may still be effective for internal distribution, and can at times help externally, but such messaging may not have the impact necessary to truly change the mindset of so many people outside of the library community who because of the hurdles described above view libraries as nice-to- have or obsolete. Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement How The E’s of Libraries® Addresses the Hurdles Addressing the Past Perception Hurdle: Once people become familiar in a persuasive, memorable, and organized way with the categories of activities in which libraries are involved, which categories virtually everyone would agree are connected to essential work, the public perception can change. Addressing the Lack of One Dominant Activity Hurdle: The E’s of Libraries take what can be a negative in terms of messaging (i.e. the jack of all trades concept), and turn it into a positive. Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® • This messaging helps people outside of the library community remember what libraries do in a way that they are more likely to retain the information. • This messaging uses language that is familiar to third parties. • This messaging allows people in the library community to use a common language. • The categories of activities that comprise The E’s are generally viewed as essential. • This messaging focuses on the types of activities that funders and potential business partners want to support. Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement  Remember: Don't tell them what you want to say. Tell them what they need to know. Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement What are The E’s of Libraries®? Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement When do we use The E’s of Libraries®? Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® EDUCATION Early Childhood Learning K-12 Education Adult Education EMPLOYMENT Self-Evaluation Skill Building Finding & Landing the Job Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® ENTREPRENEURSHIP Area of Interest Exploration F Facilitating Connections Identifying resources for funding and growing your business EMPOWERMENT Financial, Technology, & Health Literacy Civic & Legal Literacy Support for Underserved Populations Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® ENGAGEMENT Learning Social Community OTHER E’s Economy Essential Evolving Everyone Equity Everywhere Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® in Action: Baltimore County Public Library Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® in Action: Baltimore County Public Library Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® in Action: Maryland Libraries Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® in Action: Maryland Libraries Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement The E’s of Libraries® in Action: Maryland Libraries Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Q&A with the Presenters Alan Fishel Chair, The E's of Libraries® Task Force United for Libraries Board Member Partner, Arent Fox, Washington, D.C. Charity Tyler Executive Director, Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Public Library Foundation United for Libraries Board Member Paula Miller Director, Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library What’s next for The E’s of Libraries®? Be part of The E’s of Libraries®: • Visit www.ala.org/united/advocacy/es-of-libraries • What’s Your E? Tell your library story: www.ala.org/united/advocacy/whatsyoure • Email united@ala.org Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Ready to continue building support for your library? Sign up for United for Libraries’ three-part webinar series on “Fundraising & Building Support for Your Library” • Crafting a Compelling Case for Support, Oct. 3, 2 p.m. Eastern • How Everyday Relationships Build Support and Help Libraries Transform, Oct. 10, 2 p.m. Eastern • Annual Giving Campaigns - Best Practices From Across the Country, Oct. 29, 2 p.m. Eastern More information: www.ala.org/united/training/webinars Education Employment Entrepreneurship Empowerment Engagement Eliminating the Library Reality-Perception Gap What is the Reality-Perception Gap? On a scale from essential, to nice-to-have, to obsolete. The Perception of Far Too Many People: The Reality: Libraries are either nice-to-have or obsolete. Libraries are not only essential, but they are essential in numerous ways. Why is it Critical to Eliminate the Reality-Perception Gap? If libraries do not gain widespread acceptance as being essential, then… Libraries will be susceptible to reduced support and funding. Libraries will be challenged to obtain new sources of funding and partnerships. Libraries’ advocacy efforts will continue to be impaired (institutions that are viewed as essential have an advantage in their ability to advocate for their interests). Why Does the Reality-Perception Gap Exist? The gap is the result of two major hurdles that libraries face in connection with public perception. Past Perception Hurdle Lack of Dominant Activity Hurdle Many people view libraries based on their past perceptions – Libraries do many great things; they do not, however, have one they view libraries as a good place to go to borrow books, but dominant specific function. believe they are now largely outdated. Most entities that are viewed as essential have one dominant Other people have the view that libraries are primarily about activity (e.g., schools educate and hospitals heal). providing information, but they think that any information you need can be found online. These people view libraries as being far less important than they were before the Internet. Proposal Complement General Messaging with Organizational Framework Messaging Strong organizational framework messaging would Types of Messaging address both of the major hurdles and help eliminate the gap. That May Be Used Libraries Transform® is strong general messaging that can be 1 even stronger with complimentary organizational framework messaging. General Messaging Aspirational language about role(s) of libraries. Organizational framework messaging should make it far easier to remember what libraries do—and that what they do is 2 essential. Once people realize the services libraries perform, and they learn what libraries do in a memorable and organized Organizational Framework Messaging way, they will know the truth that libraries are essential. Messaging that provides an organizational framework for what libraries do. Organizational framework messaging can turn what would otherwise be a negative when it comes to messaging—the lack 3 of one dominant activity—into a positive. Specific Messaging Organizational framework messaging will facilitate the way Messaging that addresses a specific librarians describe what they do through a more consistent attribute of libraries and services. structure, and likely help to increase the number of library advocates. 1  What Specific Attributes Should the Organizational Framework Messaging Have? Memorable: The message itself must also be memorable (novel, catchy, creative), and the message must make it easier for people to remember what libraries and librarians do. Actionable: People are more likely to remember and respond to interactive messaging. Perception-Changing: The messaging must be perception-changing so that libraries can overcome the Past Perception Hurdle. The E’s of Libraries® & What’s Your E?™ An option for organizational framework messaging that libraries may want to use. The E’s of Libraries® and What’s Your E?™ would work hand-in-hand together, and also compliment the libraries’ strong general messaging. The idea for The E’s of Libraries® and What’s Your E?™ emerged as ALA was advocating E-rate issues at the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC found the messaging to be very effective. The E’s of Libraries® and What’s Your E?™ is one effective way to easily communicate and make memorable what libraries are doing, and can do with additional funding and capacity. E Education E Employment The E’s of Libraries® What are the areas in which libraries support their patrons?* E Entrepreneurship E *Additional E’s could include “Early learning” (perhaps already covered by “Education”) and “Exploration.” Empowerment E Engagement Other Library Attributes Everyone Everywhere Expertise Equity Who libraries Where libraries What libraries What libraries serve are in the US provide advocate for 2 What’s Your E?™ Can be Used in Actionable (Interactive) Ways Examples of How It Could Be Used “Our E is engagement, and “Our E is particularly community employment.” engagement. As a foundation, we believe community engagement Company X is critically important, and we are pleased to help fund Partnering with ALA on, or certain libraries on certain community engagement [employment-related activity] efforts of libraries.” “An E that this [federal government] committee Mary Doe Executive Director of X Foundation focuses on is ‘empowerment’ and namely empowering veterans to succeed. We are “My E is education.” pleased to do x [which helps libraries to assist veterans].” Alice Jones, 11 years old Congressman Smith As she talks about how she uses her local library for [fill in the blank] The E’s of Libraries® & What’s Your E?™ Along With Libraries Transform® A collaboration that could help libraries overcome the major perception hurdles they face. The E’s of Libraries® meets the memorable attribute as a novel, catchy phrase that makes it easy to remember what libraries and librarians do. What’s Your E?™ satisfies the action-inducing characteristic as an interactive phrase that people will respond to. Combined, The E’s of Libraries® and What’s Your E?™ meet the perception-changing criterion by revealing that, at their core, libraries play a key role in, among other things, education, employment, and entrepreneurship, which everyone thinks are absolutely essential. Questions? Contact united@ala.org 3