How do you partner with other organizations?

1 Identify potential partners

Before you approach any organization, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what kind of partner you are looking for. Think about your library's mission, vision, and strategic priorities, and how a partnership can support them. Then, research potential partners that share similar interests, values, and audiences, and that can offer complementary skills, expertise, or resources. You can use various sources, such as online directories, social media, newsletters, or referrals, to find out more about their background, reputation, and goals.

2 Initiate contact and build rapport

Once you have a shortlist of potential partners, you need to initiate contact and establish a rapport. You can do this by sending an email, making a phone call, or setting up a meeting, depending on the level of formality and familiarity. In your initial communication, you should introduce yourself and your library, express your interest in collaborating, and highlight the benefits of a partnership for both parties. You should also be respectful, courteous, and open-minded, and show genuine interest in learning more about their organization and their needs.

3 Negotiate and formalize the partnership

After you have established a rapport and mutual interest, you need to negotiate and formalize the partnership. This involves discussing the details of the collaboration, such as the scope, objectives, roles, responsibilities, timelines, budget, and evaluation. You should also address any potential risks, challenges, or conflicts that may arise, and how to prevent or resolve them. To ensure clarity and accountability, you should document the agreement in a written contract or memorandum of understanding, and have both parties sign it.

4 Communicate and coordinate regularly

Once the partnership is formalized, you need to communicate and coordinate regularly with your partner. You should establish a clear and consistent communication plan, including the frequency, mode, and purpose of communication, and the main contact person for each organization. You should also update your partner on the progress, achievements, or challenges of the collaboration, and seek their feedback and input. Additionally, you should coordinate your activities, resources, and messages with your partner, and avoid duplication or contradiction.

5 Celebrate and evaluate the partnership

Finally, you need to celebrate and evaluate the partnership. You should acknowledge and appreciate the contributions and achievements of your partner, and share the positive outcomes and impacts of the collaboration with your stakeholders and the public. You should also evaluate the partnership, using the agreed criteria and indicators, and collect data and evidence to measure its effectiveness and efficiency. Moreover, you should reflect on the lessons learned, the strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and challenges of the partnership, and use them to improve your future collaborations.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?