TMLDA Application: 7. Collaborative Efforts

The New Braunfels Public Library prides itself on its collaborative efforts between various groups and organizations. NBPL has built and maintained collaborations such as community partnerships, use of volunteers, outreach work, helping practicum students, and being actively involved with our Friends of the Library and NBPL Foundation.

Volunteers: The library hosts about 40-60 volunteers at any given time. The NBPL volunteers assist with checking in and shelving materials; processing books, CDs, DVDs, and other materials in preparation for cataloging; assisting with library programs; delivering books to homebound patrons; and assisting in distribution of food during our bi-monthly mobile food pantry at our satellite location, the Westside Community Center.

Teen Volunteers: NBPL hosts a large number of young adult volunteers who are seeking to earn National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society credit. The library holds “Teen & Tween Drop-In Volunteer Hours,” twice a month to give students and other young adults the opportunity to gain service hours by helping shelve materials, putting book carts in order, and helping librarians assemble supplies for programs.

School Programs and Visits: The Youth Services Department gives a presentation at 13 local schools to promote our Summer Reading Program in May. Our most recent library “branch” is the RIOmobile which makes several stops (aside from their regularly scheduled weekly stops) around the city to promote our library.

Practicum Students: Each year we answer school questions for approximately 3-7 library science students either in person, via email, or by phone. There are currently 2 library science students employed by NBPL and both have plans to complete their practicum at this locations.

Community Partnerships:

• McKenna Children's Museum: The library has always taken advantage of the opportunities to work with the McKenna Children's Museum, however, this past fall, it extended into a programming partnership. Both organizations conduct integrated programs at the other location once per month. NBPL focuses on early literacy which correlates with MeKenna's "Book of the Month," while McKenna correlates their STEAM activities with the library's storytimes.
• San Antonio Food Bank and Mobile Pantry: The largest community partnership the library has is with the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB). Food pantry vouchers are distributed at the library and Westside Community Center. Volunteers are given the opportunity to help distribute food in exchange for those vouchers to approximately 180 families. At this time, volunteers are also able to communicate other outreach activities that are offered by the library.
• Headstart Program: This program allows NBPL to reach approximately 325-340 students in the Comal County area. The library visits this location once a month and delivers programming to these students. Programming typically consists of a storytime and an extension activity. Also, through the BCFS (Baptist Child & Family Services) the library helps with interactive workshops for parents.
• NB Humane Society: This year NBPL partnered with the NB Humane Society to help cats find their forever homes. The library hosted a "Check Out a Cat For Life" event where patrons could come play with the cats up for adoption, foster a cat, or adopt one themselves! We even had a few librarians adopt a few of these cats. 

Other City Department Partnerships: The City of New Braunfels implements an extensive recycling program that all departments contribute to. NBPL participates by offering free yard recycling bags to patrons and providing trash and recycling receptacles that organize discarded items by glass, paper, Styrofoam, and general waste.

Friends of the Library and the NBPL Foundation: The library constantly collaborates with the Friends of the Library (FOL) and the NBPL Foundation. Many of our staff serve on the Foundation board and other staff often work closely with the FOL for their annual book sale.

These are just a few examples of the many collaborations that the library takes part in each year.

Food Pantry Volunteer Flyer