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
Always Be Listening: How Public Libraries are Approaching Community Engagement as a Mindset
Publish Date: News / 27 June 2019
ALA Annual is always overflowing with sessions to help library staff take a step back and think about their libraries, services, and approach to their communities. This year was no exception, and there were many stand-out sessions dedicated to rethin...
Getting to the Heart of the Community Through Discovery
Publish Date: Webinar / 11 June 2019
This webinar presents tools, methodologies and strategies that can be used to gather input and uncover the heart and aspirations of your community.
Planning a Library Con or Pop Culture Festival
Publish Date: News / 23 May 2019
Librarian Recommended blogger, Elia Juarez, shares her experience and expertise on planning and hosting a LibraryCon.
We hosted our library's sixth LibraryCon on May 4 (with over 650 attendees!), and each year, we've learned som...
Tapping Your Team Talents
Publish Date: News / 5 March 2019
Elizabeth Koenig and the team at Everett Public Library are passionate about bringing fun, creative programming to their community. Many of their best ideas come from tapping into their own team's special talents and hobbies. We asked Elizabeth and h...
Not Just Deodorant: Teen Hygiene Health Center at the Rockwood Makerspace
Publish Date: News / 26 February 2019
Judith Guzman-Montes, Bilingual Makerspace Library Assistant, at the Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon, created a Teen Hygiene Health Center in the restroom of the Rockwood makerspace to serve the needs of teens visiting the library. Judit...
Reduce Waste, Build Community: Hosting Repair Events at Your Library
Publish Date: Webinar / 13 February 2019
In this webinar, learn how to help your patrons save money on electronic, mechanical or sewing repairs and divert waste from the landfill with repair events.
The Future Is Now: Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality in Public Libraries
Publish Date: Webinar / 23 January 2019
This webinar will highlight how two Maryland libraries are building virtual and augmented reality programming.
Are Dogs the New Library Cat?
Publish Date: News / 6 November 2018
At Red Land Community Library in Etters, Pennsylvania, parents can sign children up for a 15-minute slot to read to a golden retriever. Ella is one of three trained therapy dogs who are among the library's most famous and beloved volunteers. The dogs...
Small But Mighty Library Management and Innovation
Publish Date: Webinar / 5 November 2018
In this webinar, learn how the Millvale Community Library addresses their community's food desert, uses clean energy, offers a tool-lending library, and more.
Delivering Literacy to Families through Stork Storytime
Publish Date: News / 24 October 2018
Stork Storytime helps parents-to-be establish a daily reading routine before baby arrives. North Liberty Community Library developed the Stork Storytime Librarian Toolkit for other libraries to easily implement this innovative and impactful progr...
Community engagement
Where do you go for inspiration? Invigorate your community engagement efforts with advice from library leaders.