By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

Local libraries are taking their communities by storm during the “Geek the Library” campaign through the fall.

“We’re getting out into the community, and all of our libraries will attend a community event and promote the library,” said Kim Roberts, Harrison Regional Library assistant director. “It’s an advocacy campaign for the library that will span several months. All libraries are participating.”

The national and statewide campaign will promote residents to use their libraries and educate them on how their libraries are funded. The campaign asks the public what they “geek out about,” or what they’re passionate about, Roberts said.

“The public has misconceptions on how we’re funded,” Roberts said. “It’s an education process that way.”

Roberts said Shelby County libraries will have booths in local festivals such as City Fest and the Buck Creek Festival, as well as farmers markets.

“The first part is going to be raising awareness for the library, and reaching out to people who don’t normally come in,” she said. “We have very loyal patrons, but there are people who could benefit from the library but don’t have it in the forefront of their mind.”

The second half of the campaign addresses education.

“While we have more resources and more activities and programs, libraries are struggling like everyone else is with funding. It’s not a never-ending source we’re hooked into,” Roberts said.

For more information about the campaign, visit Geekthelibrary.org.