California Council for the Humanities: Programs

Tips on creating community partnerships

Why create a partnership?
Choosing partners
Working with a partner
Once the program is over
Further reading

Why create a partnership?

We encourage libraries to develop California Stories: Reading "The Grapes of Wrath" programs in partnership with other local organizations and institutions. We hope that these partnerships will

inspire community and citywide "Grapes of Wrath" activities throughout California enhance and enrich your "Grapes of Wrath" programs bring new audiences to the library, and raise awareness of the programs and resources available in public libraries strengthen your relationship with your community provide you with valuable new working relationships with other local community organizations
leave you with important library advocates in your community

Choosing partners

Think through your program goals and objectives. Who is the program for? What do you hope to achieve? What are your organization's strengths that will help you achieve these goals, and what are the weaknesses that might stand in your way? How could a program partner build on your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses?
Think about what you want from a program partner. If you are trying to bring underserved constituents into the library, you might choose to partner with an organization that serves the constituents you are trying to attract. If you have trouble publicizing your programs, you might choose to partner with a media organization, such as a local newspaper, radio or television station, to help create awareness of the program.

Do you want your partner to be actively involved in organizing the program and guiding its direction? Or do you want them only to publicize and create awareness of a program you design and create?
Think about the benefits you can provide your program partner. A successful working relationship will be one that is beneficial to both parties, and any potential partner will want to know how they will benefit from the time and resources they give to this program. Think about the ways in which working on this program will benefit your program partner. For example, will this program be a valuable experience for their constituents? Will they receive valuable publicity by partnering with you? Will their constituents benefit from an increased awareness of the library? Will an ongoing relationship with the library be beneficial to the potential partner?
Researching the organization. Before you contact your potential partnering organization, make sure you have up-to-date information about them. Know who they are, what they do, who they serve and what their achievements are. Talk to other people who have previously worked in partnership with the organization. Find out if you have a friend or colleague in common with the person you plan to contact so that you don't have to cold-call. If you can get a recommendation, or an "in," making the contact will be much easier.
5. Making a preliminary contact. In the first communication with your potential partner, let them know quickly and concisely who you are, why you are calling or emailing, and what you proposal for them is. Be prepared to answer questions at this time, and to follow up if they ask you questions that you can't immediately answer. Find out if you are talking to the right person -- the person who can help you the most.

Once you have established the best person to continue your conversation with, arrange a mutually convenient time to have a more in-depth conversation.
Meeting with a representative of the partnering organization. Before you meet, send background information about the library and the program to the person you are meeting with. Take supplementary materials to the meeting, for example, a program fact sheet and your business card. At the meeting, discuss your program goals and objectives, your reason for choosing this organization as your potential partnering organization, and the mutually beneficial results you anticipate coming from the partnership.

Working with a partner

Establish the terms of the partnership. Clarify the expectations you have of each other and of the program. Once you have agreed on terms and expectations, do your best to keep to them. If you find that you cannot meet some of the expectations outlined at the beginning of the partnership, talk to your partner about this as soon as possible.
Communicate effectively with your partner. Create and maintain a positive working relationship by regularly talking to your partner and listening to what they have to say. Be sure to show appreciation for their effort. Create opportunities for you and your partner to express and work through problems, challenges or dissatisfaction.
Communicate effectively with your organization. If you are not used to organizing library programs in partnership with others, make your staff feel comfortable about working alongside representatives of the partnering organization. Talk to them about the partnership and discuss with them any apprehensions and concerns they might have. Involve them in the process of choosing a program partner.

Once the program is over

Follow up. Publicly acknowledge and thank your partner for the work they have done to make your program a success. Put them on your mailing list and ensure they receive regular updates about library activities. Keep up to date with what they're doing. If the program was a great success for both of you, start planning another program together!