Education: Unplugged Outreach
According to information found on the Trends page at the American Library Association’s website, the Internet age has birthed the notion of becoming temporarily “unplugged” [1]. The idea behind unplugging seems to be to facilitate a reset or a “cleanse” that involves a brief yet complete cessation of all digital consumption. This concept is touted as a means of decompressing from the pressures of everyday life. Though social distancing might deter outreach that is entirely free of any computational influences, the underlying principle seems to be to provide stress relief, relaxation, and, mayhap, some much-needed tranquility. Therefore, medical librarians involved in educational efforts may wish to consider constructing services aimed at reducing stress and at enhancing relaxation among their leading constituents, particularly in light of 2020. What a stinker of a year that was! Plus, librarians can use these activities to promote educational services and other programs.
These types of outreach may seem daunting at first, but, as may be expected, the World Wide Web is full of ideas for unplugging and for relaxing. So, what are some ways to reach constituents and to assist them in finding a little down time, especially among frontline health care workers who often make up a majority of the health sciences library’s clientele? Well, such a service could be as simple and uncomplicated as providing a comfy, digital-free space with warmth and color, where patrons can come for a respite. This space could be populated with picture and word puzzles and be rounded out with virtual-free games. Encourage patrons to doodle with doodle pads, dry-erase boards, and/or chalkboards. Better yet, put that garden or courtyard, however small, to good use. Allow patrons to come and to dig in the dirt to their hearts’ content. Of course, library gardening projects are nothing new, but the truth is: Pampering a plant can actually pamper the soul.
No space for a garden project? One old-school method to help folks unwind is a hobby or a craft. Celebrate holidays with a special craft project, or pick a day to host a local artist or area crafter. With online conferencing platforms, most programs need not be live and in-person but can instead be broadcast in real-time over the Internet. Librarians may also want to look into specialized databases that appeal to hobbyists and artists as well as the collection of a small selection of books, databases, and resources aimed at carpentry and home improvement projects. Ideally, any subsequent hands-on activities should be designed to appeal to a wide range of individuals with varying interests.
Remember, outreach does not have to be hard. It can be as effortless as carving out online space for a list of links that point individuals to relaxing past-times or diversions. Do not be afraid to think outside the box. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say. For example, audio books are all the rage, so why not circulate an online sign-up sheet for volunteer adult readers? Many patrons enjoy reading aloud to others, and even more enjoy listening while others read. With video cameras and other online technology, patrons can join in from the security of their own homes or offices.
Get a tripod for a digital camera or a smart phone and record a video. The video can focus on a small project or can be part of a series. Videos are also a great way to share a funny skit to get people smiling and to tout library outreach such as—you guessed it—a library craft day! These types of services often have the added bonus of being fun and uplifting to librarians, their fellow employees, and library stakeholders at-large. Be proactive. Combat any lingering blues left over from 2020—make the library a welcoming, positive space in 2021!
Reference
- American Library Association. Trends: 1996–2021 [Internet]. The Association [cited 12 Jan 2021]. <http://www.ala.org/tools/future/trends/unplugged>.