The scope of the project was ambitious and complicated. The library lacked the video equipment and expertise needed to deliver a high-quality product. High interest elections had to be identified. Format, appropriate facilitators and meaningful questions were required. The effort’s intent was to reach a broad audience, but the library could not do it alone. Partnering with the right county departments and community groups was integral to organizing and presenting these valuable community programs.

By partnering with the Elections Division of the County Clerk’s Office, we were able to target important races and establish connections with candidates and community leaders. The League of Women Voters provided professional forum moderators. CCTV contributed a staff person to augment library staff in staging the event, along with professional video, sound and staging equipment. This included the Tricaster technology that made the process of live-streaming smoother and contributed to a very professional end product.

The Election Forums provided valuable and timely information to a much broader audience than a traditional library program, and leveraged the use of technology to support the library’s role as a community hub and trusted information source. Based on the live attendance and online viewership, the forums were successful. For the 13 races live attendance was 1,248, YouTube views were 1,470 and Facebook views were 11,260. Contra Costa County Library intends to make Community Election Forums a priority program going forward.