Approaches to Programming and Fundraising for Renovation and Transformation Rachel McMullen, Reference and Young Adult Services Librarian, and Dulce Dominguez, Reference & Adult Services Librarian, Highwood Public Library, Highwood, IL (Population served: 5,224) Big Talk From Small Libraries 2021 February 26, 2021 http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk

1. A Small Library with Big Dreams:
Approaches to Programming and Fundraising
for Renovation and Transformation
Presented by Dulce Dominguez and Rachel McMullen

2. The Highwood Public Library is
in Highwood, Illinois, a beacon
of diversity with almost 48
percent of its 5,224 residents
identifying as Hispanic or
Latino.
32 percent of Highwood
residents are foreign-born.
www.highwoodlibrary.org

3. of adults live below the
poverty line compared to
the national average of
13 percent and a
neighboring suburb at 6
percent.
of Highwood adults do
not have high school
diploma.
of children in Highwood
are living in poverty.
of students in local
elementary school
identified as low income.
The local school district is
25.1 percent low income.
31%
17% 18% 58%
US Census Bureau & DataUSA.io
Who We Serve

4. Strategic
Plan
BUILDING COMMUNITY
THROUGH
LIBRARY SERVICE
Align library services in support of community
goals.
Provide access to content in all formats.
Ensure the long-term sustainability of public
libraries.
Cultivate leadership.

5. A
N
e
w
S
t
a
f
f
i
n
g
M
o
d
e
l BE BOLD.
Develop a new staffing model
and hiring strategy that
includes hiring a director
whose priorities are
to engage the community,
build programs,
and manage the transition
to a sustainable business
model.
Hire for past performance and
personality rather than focus
on degrees/resume.

6. Our Director
CARMEN PATLAN
Since she was hired in February 2019,
Carmen has created and implemented a
community engagement strategy that
responds to the needs of its most vulnerable
patrons. Her approach and programs have
proven to be a doorway to progress and
opportunity, increasing adult and early
childhood literacy, access to education, and
combating the impact of the digital divide.
Her programs empower our patrons to
pursue their goals.

7. Approaches
to Programming
OPEN DOORS
We strive to develop programming that is relevant to
our community. Based on feedback from bilingual
community survey, we implemented Spanish GED
classes, ESL conversational classes, and health
literacy and empowerment programs in Spanish.
SUPPORT GROWTH
We focus our efforts on creating programming that
provides academic support and leadership
opportunities for young adults. This includes a robust
Homework Help program and a Teen Advisory Board
that encourages members to develop and host their
own programs.
CREATE EXPERIENCES
Our goal in developing programs is to offer hands-
on learning experiences that equip children, teens,
and adults with 21st century literacy skills. We
currently offer experiential learning program that
focus on early literacy, STEM, and arts education.

8. Toward Self-
Actualization
We also strive to create programs and services that community
members need to move up Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Library with the support of partner organizations and 50 weekly volunteers has
provided meal kits for an average of 240 families (960 individuals) each week, with a peak service level of 380 families.

9. A
p
p
r
o
a
c
h
e
s
t
o
F
u
n
d
r
a
i
s
i
n
g
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Our Executive Director has extensive experience engaging
communities in meaningful and culturally sensitive ways. Her
strategic outreach has expanded our fundraising
opportunities and connected us to valuable partners.
TELLING OUR STORY
As we research and apply for grants, we remember that
the goal of our work is to break the cycles of generational
poverty that exist in our community. Our story is
compelling because we believe in the Library's mission
enrich, empower, and embrace the community we serve.
CALLING ALL STAFF
Several staff members have been able to gain valuable
experience grant writing and working with funders directly.
Given our limited budget, it is important that all of our staff
members contribute to the management and
implementation of grant funded programs and services.

10. Writing Our
Next Chapter
CAMPAIGN FOR LITERACY
AND TRANSFORMATION
The Highwood Public Library, supported by
its Board of Trustees and Friends group,
has launched a major capital campaign to
renovate its existing facility.
The Library received an Illinois Public
Library Construction Act Program Grant for
$671,414. This grant will cover one-third of
the project cost, so we are launching a
capital campaign to cover the remaining
costs of the renovation.

11. Toward
Sustainability
RELEVANT LIBRARY SERVICE
We continue to offer responsive library services that adapt
to the ever-changing needs of our patrons. This includes
programs that address multiple literacies, including
language, health, financial, cultural, multicultural, civic,
and, of course, reading.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
We believe our staff should reflect the community. Bilingual
and native language programs and services are critical to
our community.
FUNDRAISING SUCCESS
Providing relevant and culturally sensitive programs push us
to create sustainable fundraising practices to maintain our
current momentum.

12. Reference and Adult Services Librarian
ddominguez@highwoodlibrary.org
Dulce Dominguez, MSW
Reference and Young Adult Services Librarian
rmcmullen@highwoodlibrary.org
Rachel McMullen, MLIS, MEd
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c
k
H
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