News
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Introduction to Bridgebuilding: A course for strengthening community trust and connection
Public libraries provide spaces where people of all backgrounds can connect, learn, and build a shared future. They also help build social trust and civic engagement. To support this vital work, IREX, the Urban Libraries Council, and OCLC’s WebJuncti...
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Beyond the branch: Lessons from taking library outreach to underserved communities
Arapahoe Libraries in Colorado share their experience providing outreach services to Hispanohablantes, (a group or community whose first language is Spanish or Castilian Spanish) who may never have used a library in the US or their home country. Thei...
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Healthy Places by Design: Advancing social connection and community wellbeing
Healthy Places by Design is a nonprofit consulting organization dedicated to advancing community-led action and implementing proven, place-based strategies to improve health and wellbeing for all. By focusing on the built environment and social facto...
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Rooted in connection: Libraries designing for belonging and community
Despite living in an age of unprecedented digital connectivity, people are feeling the increasing effects of loneliness and isolation. These challenges extend beyond individuals, weakening the health, resilience, and trust of entire communities. The ...
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2025 National Day of Racial Healing
The National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) is an opportunity for people, organizations, and communities to call for racial healing, bring people together in their shared humanity and take action together to create a more just and equitable world.
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Inspire creativity with library arts and crafts programs
Libraries have always been a place to go to spark imagination, and tapping into the visual and performing arts can offer community members a fresh way to engage in creative expression. From DIY crafts to creative workshops, libraries can create arts ...
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Fostering public library teen engagement through connected learning
Learning and literacy that is grounded in personal relevance, meaningful relationships, civic engagement, and a sense of purpose, is what the Connected Learning Alliances describes as “connected learning.” For public libraries, building connected lea...
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Creating a community-led library
Libraries are increasingly turning to community-led approaches to ensure that their services and resources meet local needs effectively. This process involves actively including community members in decision-making processes, but the pa...
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Library guide to civic engagement
"Throughout 2024, over four billion people in at least 64 countries will have the opportunity to vote for new, national leadership through elections. This means that almost half of the world's population will engage in federal elections this yea...
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Partner with indie authors to share diverse stories
Despite efforts to increase representation in publishing, the industry remains predominantly white. Authors of color often face a range of challenges, including difficulty finding literary agents, limited access to publishing opportunities, and insuf...