Demonstrating the Impact of Libraries

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

• Define your library's identity based on mission, vision, and values.
  


• Explore the alignment of your library's identity with stakeholder values.
  


• Identify and select data that communicates specific messages about library value.
  


• Utilize visual tools and techniques to present data effectively.
  


• Create tailored narratives about your library's impact based on identity and data.
  


• Explore strategies for initiating and developing collaborative partnerships.
  


• Plan for a new collaboration with a chosen stakeholders based on your library's identity, data, and stories.
  

This course consists of 4 on-demand modules:

Module 1: Defining and Refining Your Library's Identity

This module focuses on understanding your library's core identity, a crucial first step in demonstrating its impact. You'll explore your library's mission, vision, and values to articulate its unique purpose and character. You'll learn how to identify your stakeholder's values and find alignment with your library's values. By the end, you'll have a clear, cohesive understanding of what makes your library truly distinctive, and how to connect that identity across various stakeholders and where refinement of your library’s identity is necessary. This foundational module will empower you to effectively showcase your library's essential contributions to your community.

Module 2: Communicating Impact Through Data

This module teaches you how to leverage your library's data to highlight value and impact. You'll learn to identify and gather relevant data that showcases your library's contributions, whether it's program attendance, resource usage, or outcome achievements. We'll then explore how to match that data to the specific message you want to communicate, transforming raw numbers into clear evidence of your library's success. Finally, you'll discover various visual tools and techniques for presenting data in engaging ways, like impactful social media posts and compelling infographics.

Module 3: Crafting Compelling Library Stories

This module will teach you how to tell your library's unique story, showing its powerful impact in your community. You'll learn to transform data into compelling narratives and tailor your message for different audiences, ensuring your story resonates with the listener. By the end of this module, you'll be equipped to articulate your library's contributions through engaging, data-backed storytelling.

Module 4: Building Collaborative Partnerships

This final module brings together everything you've learned to demonstrate your library's impact through powerful collaborations. We'll explore how to leverage your library's identity, data, and compelling stories to forge meaningful partnerships. You'll hear from expert librarians across public, school, and academic settings, who will share real-world examples of successful collaborations. To cap off the course, you'll apply these strategies in a practical assignment, setting the stage for you to initiate a new collaboration with a stakeholder of your choosing.

Who should take this course

This course is intended for librarians and library administration at public, school, and academic libraries.

This will be a self-paced, asynchronous online course.

Expected time commitment

This course includes 4 modules, each designed to take approximately 4 hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule. You'll earn 16 hours of PD credit and a Library Journal certificate of completion.

On-demand access

You’ll have access to all course materials for 6 months from your enrollment date or from the official course launch date, whichever is later.

Certificate of completion

Complete the course and earn 16 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you. 

Support

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

Course Advisor and Instructor

Jen Park, Library Advocacy Consultant

Jen Park is an advocacy consultant who assists libraries in the way of advocacy, legislation, and information execution. In addition to her current role at a public library system, Jen has experience working in public libraries, and as a faculty librarian at an academic library. She has presented regionally and nationally on topics ranging from grassroots advocacy to effective methods of communication with stakeholders and has published articles about marketing and collaborations. Named a 2025 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, Jen also holds the position of President of her public library's Board of Trustees.

Course Instructors

Deborah Hakes, Director of Marketing and Communications, Georgia Public Library Service

Deborah Hakes is a communications leader with expertise in storytelling and building brands for nonprofits and libraries. She has a passion for amplifying the voices of those who do good and telling stories that drive people to take action.

Hakes leads marketing and communications for Georgia Public Library Service, which was named Library Journal's 2020 Marketer of the Year. She also serves as vice president of the national Library Marketing Communications Group board, where she cultivates sponsor support and helps plan the annual conference.

She has spent her career at state, national, and globally-focused nonprofit organizations. Her career began at The Carter Center in former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s communications office, where she told stories and raised awareness of international programming. At Welcoming America, she built the communications department from the ground up for a growing, new nonprofit. Currently at Georgia Public Library Service, she works to broaden awareness of the value of public libraries to build engagement and support, and she provides counsel to libraries to build their own communications expertise.

James Allen, Library Media Specialist

James Allen is the Statewide School Library Lead for the Kentucky Department of Education in the Office of Education Technology. Previously, he was a public K-12 teacher librarian for sixteen years. James is also a Google for Education Certified Innovator, an ISTE Community Leader, a member of the Future Ready Schools Librarians Advisory Team, a past president of the Kentucky Association of School Librarians, and a member of the American Association of School Librarians National Conference Committee and Professional Learning Committee.

Discounted rates are available for a limited time only. Secure your tickets now to lock in the best price.

Group Rates

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.

For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com.