Partnerships & collaboration

When the library builds partnerships, it strengthens the ties to its community, shares resources, and builds positive relationships with diverse stakeholders. Reaching out to initiate community partnerships begins with identifying both traditional and non-traditional partners and exploring new ways to work together. Effective collaborations are sustained through a shared commitment to serving the ever-changing needs of the community.
Photo: jenlen, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Most Recently Added
Native Stories, Native Peoples: Opportunities for Library Engagement
Publish Date: Webinar / 15 February 2023
This webinar will highlight opportunities for library communities to foster understanding and support of Indigenous peoples, past and present.
Science Literacy: It’s Not Just for Kids
Publish Date: Webinar / 24 January 2023
Join this webinar to learn about programs that make adult science learning fun and enticing.
Practical Strategies for Engaging Veteran and Military-Affiliated Patrons at Your Library
Publish Date: Webinar / 11 January 2023
This webinar introduces practical and engaging library programming ideas for serving veteran and military communities.
How to Host a Human Library
Publish Date: News / 20 December 2022
Drag Queen. Refugee. Bipolar. Retired military. These are examples of titles on a very different type of bookshelf at a Human Library event. The Human Library nonprofit created this global learning experience in 2000 to facilitate dialogue between co...
Build New Community Connections with Partnership Marketing
Publish Date: News / 13 December 2022
Most high-level library marketing goals aim to expand services into new communities and increase engagement with current users. But traditional library marketing is often geared toward reaching people who already know and love the library. Partnershi...
Social Work Approaches to Library Services
Publish Date: Webinar / 29 November 2022
Learn how a range of social work approaches can be applied to help improve library services for your community.
Resources for Social Work and Library Collaboration
Publish Date: News / 28 November 2022
Library staff are known for their resourcefulness and commitment to adapting to help community members in need. But as the scope of library services has expanded to address complex social needs that aren’t being met elsewhere, it can feel overwhelmin...
Civil Legal Issues of Natural Disasters Persist, but Change over Time
Publish Date: News / 21 November 2022
What do document replacement, contractor scams, and lease terminations have in common? They are all examples of civil legal issues that can stem from a natural disaster, and questions about these could show up at your library’s reference desk. Patron...
Suicide Prevention for Veterans, Service Members, Families and Communities
Publish Date: Webinar / 15 November 2022
Learn how libraries can help raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention resources available to Veterans and their families with the Veterans Health Administration.
Resources for Helping Unhoused Patrons
Publish Date: News / 10 November 2022
Libraries are central to our communities, as places where anyone is welcome to gather, connect, and learn, but for some members of our community, they represent much more than that. For many people experiencing homelessness, the library might be the ...
Community engagement
Where do you go for inspiration? Invigorate your community engagement efforts with advice from library leaders.