Community engagement is not a single program, event, or department. It is an ongoing practice of listening, learning, building relationships, and working alongside community members to help the library better serve everyone. 

New to outreach at your library? Explore these eight tips and first steps for new outreach librarians in this article from WebJunction. Ultimately, getting started in outreach is less about having all the answers upfront and more about showing up, st...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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...

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...