Happy National Librarian Day! After the last Library Voices: Unfiltered  post, I wanted to pivot to something practical—something we can actually do in the middle of all the chaos, frustration, and challenges in this field.

Community building via school partnerships.

Let’s be honest—most teachers are overwhelmed.

They’re managing classrooms, behavior, testing requirements, communication with families and more. So when I say, “We need to market the library to schools,” what I really mean is:

How can we make the library feel like a solution—not one more thing on their plate?

Because when it works, it really works. But getting there can be hard.

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I’ll be honest—this wasn’t easy for me

For a long time, I struggled to connect with my local school system.

Emails went unanswered. Outreach felt one-sided.
And meanwhile, our children’s room was packed after school—clearly being used, clearly needed—but there was little to no actual partnership or support from the schools themselves.

It was frustrating.

It felt like we were doing all the work to support students, but without any real connection to the people who knew them best and saw them every day.

Then things shifted.

My public school district hired a new superintendent and gained a fresh board of trustees. And I remember thinking—this is my window.

That first week the superintendent was in the role, I sent an email. Just an introduction. Who I was, what I did, what the library could offer.

Nothing fancy.

Within days, I had a sit-down meeting—with him and their curriculum director.

And that changed everything.

Weeks later, school resource officers started making rounds. Principals were stopping in to visit. The school IT guy offered his support. School counselors started reaching out to me with ideas for partnerships.

It snowballed.

I know I hit the jackpot. I know it doesn’t always happen like that.

But it also reinforced something important—

Don’t give up. Timing matters. People matter. And sometimes one connection changes everything.

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Start with This Mindset: You’re Not Selling—You’re Supporting

If your approach is “Here’s everything the library offers,” you’ll lose them.

If your approach is:

• How can I make your job easier?
• What do your students need right now?
• Where can the library step in and help?

That’s where real partnerships start.

Make the First Move (Even If You Already Have)

If you’ve reached out before and heard nothing—try again.

Different person. Different timing. Different approach.

That’s exactly what happened to me.

Start simple:

• Introduce yourself
• Share your role
• Offer support

That’s it.

Don’t Just Go to Schools—Bring Them to You

Outreach is great—but if kids never step into the library, they don’t build a relationship with it, and that matters.

When kids walk into the library, they start to see:

• this place is for them
• they’re allowed to be here
• it’s not just quiet and rules—it’s fun, flexible, and theirs

Invite teachers to bring their classes in. FREE FIELD TRIP! (check out this idea for a fun class activity)

Make it easy. Keep it flexible. Let kids explore—not just sit through a structured visit.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is just let them be there.

Invite Teachers In First

Before the kids come, get the teachers comfortable.

Host a casual teacher open house:

• quick tour
• highlight resources
• show them what’s useful for their classrooms

No pressure. No long presentations.

Just: “Here’s what we have, and here’s how it can help you.”

Be Useful (Not Just Informative)

Instead of listing everything your library offers, think about what teachers actually need:

• book collections for classroom units
• help with research projects
• access to materials they don’t have
• engaging programs for students

Be specific. Make it easy for them to say yes. And if your budget and policy allow, give them an opportunity to suggest purchases!

Use Schools to Reach Families

Teachers are your connection to families.

If they trust you, they’ll talk about the library.

So give them things they can easily pass along:

• flyers
• quick newsletter blurbs
• reminders about programs or resources

You’re not just building a relationship with the school—you’re building one with the entire community.

Start Young—and Keep Showing Up

The earlier kids connect with the library, the more likely they are to come back.

Storytimes. Class visits. First library cards. That’s where it starts.

Because when kids grow up seeing the library as:

• a safe space
• a welcoming space
• a place they actually want to be

They don’t outgrow it.

Libraries Are More Than Books (But Books Still Matter)

Yes, we say it all the time.

But it’s worth repeating—especially with schools.

You’re offering:

• access
• opportunity
• creativity
• connection

And yes—books.

Final Thought

If there’s one thing I learned through all of this, it’s this:

Sometimes it doesn’t work right away.
Sometimes it feels like you’re being ignored.
Sometimes you are.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t work later.

Keep reaching out.
Keep showing up.
Keep making the connection.

Because when it clicks—it opens doors you didn’t even know were there.

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If you enjoyed this post and want to see others like it, check out these popular posts!

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