Everyone who works in the Local History and Genealogy department of a library knows that the challenge of the job is to get people in the community actively involved, not only in saving its history but bringing that history to life. Most communities have some sort of Historical Society which actively tries to foster an interest in their history with speakers and historical tours.
But what can a library do to bring this history to life? There are many avenues to pursue, but they all require that we look to partner with other organizations in the community. This could be a theatrical group, historical society, museum and schools, both elementary and high school. Learn the exciting, innovative ideas that the Collingwood Public Library has used to bring their community history to life in partnership with local organizations.
Outcomes:
– Learn new ways to partner in the community.
– See how a theatrical group and the library have worked together to create a new relationship that uncovers the history of the town in an unusual way.
– Learn how the library works with the schools to incorporate the history of their town into the school curriculum so that the students have a better understanding of their community, and their place in it.
– See how the library promotes and shares its local history and genealogical information not only within to its community, but with the world at large.
