NEW! Building Presentation Toolkit added to the Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces website

Guest post written by John Thompson, IFLS Libary System

In response to a recommendation from the Wisconsin Public Library Facilities Assessment, two presentation slide decks and instructions were created to educate and inform key stakeholders about the importance of libraries and advocate for funding to build or renovate. The two templates contain similar background information, but the Need an Architect slide deck makes the ask for funding to hire an architect/consultant, while the Have an Architect slide deck requests permission to move forward with the project, assuming an architect/consultant has already been secured.

The format of the template includes several big picture quotes about libraries, slides to customize with local information and quotes from local stakeholders, and slides to make a request from the governing body. The presentations are available as templates in Canva and include detailed instructions on how to customize them for your local needs. These templates were created by the IFLS Library System and funded by LSTA funds.

These communications tools join a growing toolkit of resources available on the Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces website. The website team will be adding more resources throughout the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. Please send your feedback and suggestions for additional resources to Laurie Freund.

The development of the Wisconsin Library Buildings and Spaces website was started by a team of library consultants and experts in building subject matter in response to needs expressed by the Wisconsin library community. The project began with a series of webinars featuring a variety of facility related topics. The Building & Spaces website currently includes a variety of on-demand webcasts, resources, and toolkits for use by Wisconsin libraries. 

Funding for this statewide project was provided from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Sponsors include the Wisconsin Public Library Systems and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

For more information on this project, contact John Thompson at the IFLS Library System.