Collaborating Across Departments

Sometimes, missed opportunities are hiding in plain sight, waiting for a shift in perspective to uncover them. That was the case at our library, where adult and children’s librarians excelled within their areas but worked largely in isolation when it came to programs, collections, and outreach.

This dynamic began to change due to a shift in supervisory structure and evolving scheduling needs. Our Youth Services meetings began to include Adult Services staff, creating a more unified and collaborative environment. Almost immediately, the benefits of this arrangement became apparent. With a wider range of voices in the room, ideas were approached from fresh angles, and opportunities for cross-departmental synergy became obvious.

Here are three key benefits that emerged from our newfound collaboration:

1. Programming for Captive Parents of K-5 Students

We identified an untapped audience: parents who accompanied their children to school early release activities but were unable to participate due to space limitations in the program room. By offering programming for adults during this waiting period, we created new opportunities for engagement. Some initiatives were simple yet effective, like serving tea and offering free books from our library bookstore. Others were more hands-on, such as showcasing digital resources like eBooks, eAudiobooks, Cultural Passes and other library resources.

2. Cross-Departmental Outreach

Outreach efforts had previously been unintentionally siloed, with youth librarians visiting places like the local food pantry and adult librarians engaging with the farmer’s market. By collaborating, we ensured both departments were represented at each event, creating a richer experience for patrons. With a broader range of staff and expertise, we could answer diverse questions, connect with more community members, and better showcase the depth of library resources.

3. Themes Shared Across Age Groups

Our collaboration extended to creating thematic programming that resonated across age groups. For example:

• Library Comic Con: For this annual all ages event, librarians weaved this theme into programming for their respective age groups throughout the month.  From Board Game Day for Adults to Comic Book Coasters for Teens along with “Adroidables” (decorating adorable droids) for Young Teens, much fun was had exploring this theme while providing further advertising for this major event.  
• Pollinator Week: In conjunction with our Parks Department’s event, we integrated a pollinator theme into library activities. Weekly storytimes highlighted bees, while adults enjoyed a Yarn Bee Take & Make kit and a Butterfly Garden presentation. This cross-departmental effort underscored the strength of community partnerships.
• Expanding Fun Adult Programming: Inspired by the popularity of youth events that explored a variety of food flavors such as “Oreo Taste Off” and “Chip Chomp”, Adult Services adapted these playful activities for older audiences. These food-centric guessing games drew enthusiastic participation and highlighted the joy of blurring age-group boundaries.

Reflecting on Collaboration

The shift to collaborative meetings has transformed how we operate, fostering an environment where ideas flourish and departments support each other more fully. This experience has reinforced an important lesson: when departments work together, we can better serve our community and maximize the potential of our resources.

While shared meetings may not be a fit for every organization, consider whether there’s someone you could collaborate with more closely—or even just think alongside. As leadership expert Ken Blanchard wisely said, “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

We’re excited to continue exploring new ways to work together, bridging departments and building a stronger library for everyone.

Today’s blog post was written by Sarah Flathman, Assistant Library Director at West Linn Public Library in West Linn, OR, on behalf of the ALSC Managing Children’s Services Committee. She can be reached at sflathman@westlinnoregon.gov.

This blog relates to ALSC Core Competencies of I. Commitment to Client Group, III. Programming Skills and V. Outreach and Advocacy.

The post Collaborating Across Departments appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 Sometimes, missed opportunities are hiding in plain sight, waiting for a shift in perspective to uncover them. That was the case at our library, where adult and children’s librarians excelled within their areas but worked largely in isolation when it came to programs, collections, and outreach. This dynamic began to change due to a shift in supervisory structure and evolving scheduling needs. Our Youth Services meetings began to include Adult Services staff, creating a more unified and collaborative environment. Almost immediately, the benefits of this arrangement became apparent. With a wider range of voices in the room, ideas were approached from fresh angles, and opportunities for cross-departmental synergy became obvious. Here are three key benefits that emerged from our newfound collaboration: 1. Programming for Captive Parents of K-5 Students We identified an untapped audience: parents who accompanied their children to school early release activities but were unable to participate due…
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