RESEARCH PROPOSAL

TO: Professor Clark

FROM: Whitney Tubbs

SUBJECT: Modern Reshaping of the Lincoln Parish Public Library

DATE: October 19, 2023

There are many ways libraries benefit by remaining in the public domain; however, funding for
upgrades is not one of the perks. To avoid obsolescence or privatization, libraries must make
strategic, forward-thinking changes in how they market themselves to their communities. In the
following sections, I will detail the need for research into Lincoln Parish’s demographics and
resources to create a more long-term, sustainable model of Ruston’s library.

Overview of Topic

Researching a project’s usefulness is always a good way of weighing cost against reward.
However, research is paramount to a project that relies entirely on donations, sponsorships, and
endowments for its financial backing. Brick-and-mortar libraries have been in a precarious
position for years, with many failing to see their value. This is partly due to a lack of public
awareness of libraries' services beyond books. During the pandemic, stories of libraries finding
ways to be of service came flooding in nationwide. It started with most local branches
suspending fines and providing digital lending services but did not stop there. Stories of library
employees making online content such as “virtual storytimes, read-alouds, and cooking demos”
could be found nationwide (Zalusky, 2021). From the previously referenced source, I was
surprised to learn that the library had taken up the mission of helping to fight the widespread
misinformation that plagued the country during this time. A post-COVID world, in the middle of
an economic struggle, is no less in need of the helpful resources these institutions provide.

According to 2017-2021 United States Census Bureau statistics, 3.5% of Lincoln Parish’s
citizens are foreign-born, and 4.5% have someone in the home who speaks a language other than
English. The percentage is small, but accounting for those that likely went without being
reported, it is still substantial enough to merit the consideration of LPPL (Lincoln Parish Public
Library) becoming a Multicultural Services Library. Hosting workshops that offer free ESL
(English as a Second Language) lessons is a community project worth pursuing. The language
barrier between parents and those in the school system leads to generational struggles and
families living in poverty. Lincoln Parish is home to two universities, Tech and Grambling,
making it a perfect candidate for students seeking careers as ESL teachers to practice while
providing community service. A similar model was utilized in a three-year project undertaken by
the Orange County Library System that aimed to improve “a variety of language functions,
including professional and academic language use, through focusing on the four skill areas of
listening, speaking, reading, and writing” (Becnel, Smallwood, 2013). While not entirely
successful, it is a loose guide on how ESL teaching students can obtain and distribute knowledge
in the field.
An oft-overlooked potentiality exists in the partnering of libraries with local small businesses.
LPPL has five rooms designed for meetings of various sizes available for groups involved with
education or cultural development. Public Libraries are non-profit entities and do not usually
consider forming relationships with for-profit organizations. However, a library in St. Louis
found a way to make this odd coupling a symbiotic partnership. A lot of work went into creating
a lecture series targeting those looking to break into the small business market or strengthen the
small business they already own. The payoff was multifarious, making the time and energy put in
well worth it. The library has a wealth of resources available that benefit these start-ups, and in
return, it receives exposure and stronger ties to the community. (Pryor, 2014)

Research Procedure

I can outline available marketing strategies and community outreach programs using the
information compiled by libraries that have implemented plans to address the same issues. Asset
mapping is also a technique that seems well suited to this task, as it can provide a wealth of
information on the hierarchy of the community's needs. A more hands-on approach: I will attend
the LPPL board meeting on Thursday, the 19th, to understand the structure for requesting
information and access.

Qualifications

As a lifelong supporter and outspoken advocate of the public library system, I will work
tirelessly to implement changes that aid in restoring the proud legacy of the institution. I have
always wanted to work in a library but feared that it would become obsolete due to a decline in
patronage. My career path is not chiseled in stone yet, but I will pursue work in an
English/Humanities field. Further qualifying me, I am in my senior year at Louisiana Tech
University, working toward an undergraduate degree in English.

Conclusion

"The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library." ~Albert Einstein
Libraries are selfless institutions; they ask for nothing but give away everything. It is easy to
scoff at how easily accessible e-books are and assert that Google has all the answers. I
vehemently disagree on both counts. To the former, I ask, what of the boys and girls living in
poverty? They have no tablet or e-reader, much less access to the internet. To the latter, it is no
secret that Google can give you millions of answers, but can it tell you which is correct? A
project to uncover the needs of Lincoln Parish and use that information to formulate a strategy to
strengthen the bond between the community and its library is a cause worthy of support.
References

Pryor, C. (2014). Mind Your Business: Reaching the Small Business Owner and Entrepreneur
Through Community Partnership and Programming. Journal of Library Administration,
54(3), 187–196.

Smallwood, C., & Becnel, K. (2013). Library services for multicultural patrons. [Electronic
resource]: Strategies to encourage library use. 144.

Zalusky, S. (2020, April). The State of America’s Libraries 2021: A Report from the American
Library Association. American Library Association., 8–24.