Longshelf

Welcome in, library keepers.

Borrow what works. Bring it back better.

The learning network for people who run neighbourhood libraries.

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A hand sliding a red cloth-bound book back onto a wooden shelf MEMBER-RUN · FREE TO JOIN · NONPROFIT ·

The library

10 resources

Starting out

Guide

Open a library in a spare corner

8 min read

Template

Your first year on one page

1 page

Recording

What we got wrong in year one

38 min

Volunteers

Template

A rota that fills itself

Spreadsheet

Guide

A new volunteer’s first shift

5 min read

Collections

Guide

Weeding books without the guilt

6 min read

Recording

Lending tools, seeds and toys

44 min

Money

Template

Small grant budget

Spreadsheet

Guide

Your first ask to a funder

7 min read

Recording

A board report people read

29 min

Borrow a guide. Try it at your library. Return it with your notes.

Hands around a wooden table with notebooks, index cards and tea

What’s on

  1. Thursday6 pm

    Open shelf hour

    Online. Bring one problem.

  2. Next TuesdayNoon

    Grant writing clinic

    Online, 45 minutes.

  3. Saturday10 am

    Visit: the laundromat library

    In person, east side.

Pull up a chair.

Free for anyone who runs a neighbourhood library.