Library Columns: Topics and Tips

Ten Topics for Library Columns

• 1Write about an upcoming library event. Besides the who, what, when, where, include details of how the event was planned, and if it's part of a series. Tell what other programs the library would like to have (book club?) and if the library needs volunteers to help with these.
• 2Thank the Friends of the Library for any special projects or things they buy for the library. Get as many names as possible into the column. Tell how people can join the Friends group.
• 3Feature a library service such as the homework help center or inter-library loans. Write it so that someone who has never been in a library can understand what it is and how they might use it.
• 4Write about a topic that might be a bit touchy. Don't wait for a complaint. Explain what the library plans to do and why. We had to remove two stately trees from the library's courtyard. Anticipating a public outcry over the cutting down of the two trees, I wrote a column about it and made it a touching farewell to two good friends that had outgrown their space. It smoothed over the issue and the column provided staff with the words to answer any questions that came up from people missing the trees.
• 5Write a column about how much a typical family could save by using the public library. For an example of what you might include, see the links below.
  
  Children reading books key chain by jsoh
  
• 6Explain how a child can get their first library card. Tell what the benefits are of introducing a child to books and the library at an early age. This is a good place to get in a sweet story about a toddler with an armful of books or parents reading bedtime stories to a child.
• 7Compose a column about overdue books and how it hurts the library (and the community) to have the books gone. Talk about other people needing the books and about the impact on the budget. Explain the library's fines and alternate methods for clearing the patron's record if they can work off the fine or pay it in installments.
  See the link below for more on this.
• 8Use a column to explain the volunteer opportunities at the library. Tell the skills needed and how they can help the library. Include a contact person and number to call. Tell about the savings to the library budget that volunteers make.
  See the link below for ideas.
• 9Write a column about the library's earliest history. Tell who donated the land, how it was funded and staffed. What was different about the library in those days? Compare it to the current library funding/staffing/services.
• 10Write about a donor. Even if a donation is anonymous, you can write about how it will be used. If you don't get many donations, write about a large donation to another library and it may give your community ideas leading to future donations.