ABC FAQs
What’s Included in ABC
ABC is focused on free and low-cost services and activities. It includes nonprofits, public-private partnerships, and small, informal groups that serve the Brattleboro community.
All the groups in ABC serve the community of Brattleboro, whether or not they are headquartered in town. The ABC Directory includes area, state, and regional organizations that have local points of service.
The ABC Directory is not a platform for posting events or opinions. Its purpose is to help community members and visitors find services and interest groups in the Brattleboro area.
Who creates and manages the ABC Directory?
Organizations create their own listings with support and oversight from the Brooks Memorial Library. The Library will review and approve new listings to make sure they fall within the scope of the ABC Directory. If needed, we will communicate with organizations to ensure that entries are as clear and accurate as possible. The library has final discretion over what is included in the Directory.
The library will also help community members use this tool, and we will generate lists and links for key services. The ABC Directory will be at the center of our information and referral service at the library service desks.
Am I searching the Internet?
You’re searching a local directory that’s delivered through the website of the Brooks Memorial Library. It’s not a mega search engine, but it’s better than a card file, because you can follow through on links to organizations’ websites. Plus, your friend across the ocean can search it, too!
Search tips
Try only one word or only one category. Don’t fill in both fields at once.
Use short forms of words when you’re searching; for example: child, not children. (It’s the opposite when you’re making a listing).
If you end up with no results, try removing some of your search terms. Sometimes, less detail brings better results.
Try browsing a category to discover new resources
Does my group or service qualify?
The ABC Directory lists organizations, services, interest groups, and projects that help neighbors meet basic needs, form supportive connections, and sustain a thriving community in the Brattleboro area. It focuses mostly on free and low-cost activities and services directly available to people in Brattleboro. If your program or service is in line with these goals, it probably belongs here!
Who should sign up and submit information?
You must be a direct representative of a group to submit or edit its listing. If you want your favorite club to appear in ABC but you’re not a club coordinator, please seek out a member who would be authorized within the group to sign up or submit information to the ABC Directory. If you need to reassign editorial responsibilities for your listing, please reach out and we’ll make it happen: outreach@brookslibraryvt.org.
Large organizations will find guidance for multiple logins in ‘Tips for Complex Organizations’ at the bottom of this FAQ list.
Basic tips for making listings?
- A computer might be easier than a phone for making/editing listings. But use what’s most comfortable for you.
- Keep it simple. Only a few fields are required, so you can submit a basic record and fill out details later if you want to. Plus, if you include a url, people can discover all the details on your own website.
- Be ready to complete the required fields in one session. Sorry, there’s no save-as-you-go option. Once we receive and approve your initial listing, you can add/edit any time, and those changes will appear right away.
- Focus on your description and catchwords. How does your group describe itself? Using your own words will help searchers find you, and the directory will reflect the many interests, cultures, and traditions that make our community strong.
- Include useful links from your group, such as website, calendar, newsletter, or any other handy service you want the community to know about.
What about logos and pictures?
Visuals are great! Please include a logo or eye-catching photo to enhance your listing in search results and help people see who you are.
- Preview image is a single logo or main photo, which will illustrate your organization in search results.
- Slider images are additional pictures, up to 4 of them (plus the Preview image, for a total of 5).
- Ideal aspect ratio is 3:2, max size 200 MB. Our sample image was 800 x 534 pixels, but the system can manage larger images with roughly that ratio.
Need help with images? There’s a check box where you can give library ABC staffers permission to resize and organize your logo(s)/photo(s). Please be sure you have rights to any image you submit.
What if my group is complex, with multiple services or programs with their own identities and missions?
If your group offers two or more specific services, you can list them all in your description and catchwords OR you can create separate listings–it’s up to you. See “Listing tips for complex organizations: at the bottom of this page.
What are Categories, Descriptions, and Catchwords?
These three elements work together to create detailed profiles of organizations and projects.
Categories
Please select one or more formal words and phrases from the list to help people understand the general focus of your organization. Searchers will be able to browse by these categories, which include terms like ‘Basic Needs,’ ‘Environment & Sustainability,’ ‘Children & Families,’ etc. If you cannot find categories that apply to your group, please let us know! We want to address that.
Description/Catchwords
Use this field to describe your organizations’ purpose, interests, and services. The Description can include a formal mission statement, strategic goals and objectives, etc., or it can be very informal. How does your group describe itself?
In addition to sentences and paragraphs, please add a list of Catchwords, which is library-speak for ‘keyword’ or ‘tag.’ Catchwords can be general and concept-focused (like social justice or creativity), or they can be detailed and nitty-gritty (like printers, scanners, fax).
- To save space, list catchwords in a simple line with commas in between. For example: books, garden tools, meeting space, study space, rooms, lifelong learning, computers, copiers, printers
- Include different words for the same thing (synonyms) to help people find you. For example: restrooms, bathrooms. Feel free to list both.
- Use plural words to help searchers find your listing, for example: books, not book; children, not child. (It’s the opposite when you’re searching. Searchers get better results from using short forms of words).
- When in doubt, throw in another word! Family? Families? Use both! There’s no harm in it, and it might help people find you.
Can I ever list events?
Single event: Not recommended, because ABC is not an event calendar. Try the DBA Calendar for that.
Ongoing/recurring programs: Yes! We recommend that you include ongoing programs in your description and catchwords, leaving out specific dates.
Example of an ongoing/recurring program
The Children’s Room at the Library offers Rhyme Time for kids and families throughout the year (catchwords: rhyme time, story hour, storytime, story time).
If your group offers two or more specific services, you have a couple of options for how to make your listing. The decision is entirely up to you. And remember that you can always refine your listing in the future once you’re in the Directory.
Option 1: Create a single detailed listing.
Why choose this option: It’s straightforward, and it can emphasize the breadth of activities in your organization.
- Within the description, mention all your specific programs and services, using paragraph text and catchwords.
- If the programs/services have their own hours and other details that differ from that of the main organization, be sure to note that.
- If specific programs have their own websites/web pages, link to those!
Option 2: Create a main listing plus sub-listings and link them.
Why choose this option: It’s more work, but it enables you to highlight programs within your organization that have their own identities and user populations. If some of your departments have their own branding, this might be a good choice for your group.
For example, the Senior Center is a community resource offered by Brattleboro’s Department of Recreation and Parks. Because the Senior Center has its own fan base and identity, it might be a good candidate for a separate listing. So:
- When the designated person at Recreation and Parks makes their general listing, they can mention the Senior Center in the Description/Catchwords field.
- The same person or another person can create a separate listing for the Senior Center and name Brattleboro Recreation and Parks in the optional ‘Parent Organization’ field.
If you make sub-listings, consider using a different main image for each, but that decision is up to you. There’s a check box on the listing form to request help with images. You can also call or send us an email, and we’ll be happy to assist.
Can more than one person manage listings within a large organization?
That’s up to you. One person can manage all of them, or different people can establish logins and manage listings for their specific services/programs. However, because of technical limitations, only one person/login can manage each specific listing. Group leaders: please coordinate efforts internally to avoid duplication or errors. If you need to reassign editorial responsibilities for your listing, please reach out and we’ll make it happen: outreach@brookslibraryvt.org.
For more tips, see the full ABC FAQs
ABC Help and Contacts
Jeanne Walsh Information/Help Desk
askalibrarian@brookslibraryvt.org
802-254-5290 ext. 1220
Tara O’Brien Outreach Coordinator
outreach@brookslibraryvt.org
802-254-5290 ext. 1203