How do I partner with another organization to provide programming and other services?
Many, if not most, libraries partner with other organizations to provide programs and other services. Some common partners are Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and Community Adult Learning Programs (CALP). A classic example is offering a computer literacy program together, where the library provides space, computers, and sometimes staff support, while the partnering organization provides the instructor.
Some common questions:
- How do I ensure this partner program is accessible to all the patrons we serve, not just the partner organization's clients?
- How do I talk to my partner organization to keep them from leaving my program room a mess when they leave?
- Nobody came to my program, and now my partner organization is complaining about it - what do I do?
Answer
The short answer to all of these questions is: Create a Partner Program Agreement!
For any and all programs or activities where you’re working with another organization, we recommend using a Partner Program Agreement to help prevent problems before they occur.
They help by:
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Prompting you to have a good conversation with your partner before you get started with shared programming and activities.
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Providing a structure to lead you through that conversation
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Reducing misunderstandings
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Capturing decisions and expectations in writing, so you can refer to them later.
Tips for creating great Partner Program Agreements:
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Make sure you're having a conversation with someone at the partner organization who can make decisions.
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Make Agreements detailed, spelling out things like tasks and timing. (That way, if someone fills in temporarily or if there’s a staff change, everyone knows the basics).
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Ensure everyone has a written copy of the conversation.
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Change the agreement to suit your own library's needs - Agreements are not set in stone and can change over time.
Need an example?
You’ll find a sample Partner Program Agreement in the Links section below. It is filled out with a fictional partner program so you can see the level of detail that's helpful.
Links & Files
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