Format: Webinar, original date July 7, 2016
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
If you want to attract Latino and Spanish-speaking families to your library, the instinct is to launch a bilingual or Spanish-language storytime. It’s the “if we build it, they will come” logic for attracting community members who are not being served by the library. Libraries may be disappointed to discover that it doesn’t necessarily work that way. In this webinar, recognize the critical role that outreach plays in bridging the gap between Latino and Spanish-speaking families and library services. Hear real-world examples of outreach strategies from librarians who successfully connected with their Latino and Spanish-speaking communities, and learn a basic outreach process that you can adapt for your own community.
Presented by: Katie Scherrer and Lauren Simon
Format: Webinar, original date November 1, 2017
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
In the United States, 1 in every 8 people face hunger. Food insecurity affects 42 million people and impacts every county in America, and libraries are increasingly involved in helping to fight hunger in their communities. Join us to hear how Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief network, a food bank, and a public library, are all helping to fight hunger. Learn how to assess food security and needs in your area and how to grow community awareness and understanding about hunger through programming or resources. Providing meals can become a key component of library programming, even serving as an incentive for families and children to attend. Explore a range of opportunities to address community hunger needs year-round, and learn how to reach out and engage with local food banks to connect patrons to food.
Presented by: Christina Martinez, Kaia Keefe-Oates, and Elizabeth Lynch
Format: Webinar, original date January 30, 2024
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
You know your library could do more to connect with and respond to the systematically excluded communities you serve. But if you're starting with little or no existing connection, how do you build authentic, trust-based relationships? How do you go beyond transactional interactions and guessing at services to effective engagement and participation? This webinar will help you develop a plan for identifying, reaching, and building relationships with communities experiencing oppression.
Presented by: Dr. Audrey Barbakoff, Amita Lonial, and Mia Henry
Format: Webinar, original date January 15, 2013
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
What does an ice cream sundae have to do with library partnerships? Let's pretend that your community organizations (school, academic, public and special libraries, and other local organizations) are your favorite kind of ice cream. Now let's ladle your favorite toppings over the ice cream to represent the organizations resources, programs, personnel and funding. How can the ice cream "mix" with the toppings to be the most luscious dessert possible for the most people? When community organizations collaborate to share their resources with one another, they make the biggest possible impact on the most lives. Learn easy, understandable and powerful strategies that will give you renewed energy to create bold and imaginative collaborations among all types of community organizations.
Presented by: Kathy Jacobs
Format: Webinar, original date October 23, 2023
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Presented by: Sara White, Stephanie Zero, Elissa Burnley, and Rachel Beckman
Format: Self-paced course
Developed by: WebJunction and Project VOICE
Length: 10-30 hours
Centering Community VOICE is based on an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant, Project VOICE (Value-sensitive design of Outcomes Informing Community Engagement). The course presents and details a social justice, outcomes-based planning and assessment approach for public library outreach work for children and families that was developed in partnership with twenty library practitioners conducting outreach in diverse communities across the United States. The course provides hands-on assistance for library staff who want to better support young children (ages zero to eight) and their families from underserved communities.
This course will help you:apply a social justice approach that focuses on equity, engagement, and empowerment to your outreach work with underserved children and families.
use a collaborative process to design outreach programs and services that center the community and their values in the work you do; and
implement an assessment plan–a critical stage in outreach program development–to provide you with valuable insights into the work you are doing to support families out in your community.
There are two pathways for working through the content depending on the level of engagement you would like: a basic certificate (10 hours) and an advanced certificate (30 hours).
Format: Webinar, original date April 18, 2017
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
To "choose civility" means to celebrate diversity and choose respect, compassion, empathy, and inclusiveness when interacting with others. Civility is the healing power we need to counteract the divisive, fragmented forces that seem to be undermining our social fabric. Since 2006, Howard County Library System (MD) has been leading the way toward community connectedness with their Choose Civility initiative. They, along with library systems across the country, invite you to join the movement to nurture civility in your own community. Learn how kindness creates communities, how to challenge stereotypes effectively, and cultivate random acts of civility. Find opportunities to implement Choose Civility to enhance internal and external customer service, develop partnerships and community support, and create a more connected community of people who will #choose2Bkind. Let’s see civility go viral in 2017.
Presented by: Valerie Gross, Christie Lassen and Sonya Durney
Format: Webinar, original date February 27, 2024
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
You know your library could do more to connect with and respond to the systematically excluded communities you serve. But if you're starting with little or no existing connection, how do you build authentic, trust-based relationships? How do you go beyond transactional interactions and guessing at services to effective engagement and participation? This webinar will help you develop a plan for identifying, reaching, and building relationships with communities experiencing oppression.
Presented by: Dr. Audrey Barbakoff, Angel Jewel Tucker and Beck Tench
Format: Webinar, original date March 20, 2014
Hosted by: WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries
Length: 1 hour
Are you looking for fresh ways to connect your library with your community? Find out how these Nebraska libraries moved beyond traditional partnerships by uncovering shared commitment to community needs with new partners, especially local businesses. These new connections led to programming and events that promote health, literacy and entertainment for the whole community. The efforts extend the library's marketing reach, build library support, and strengthen community relationships all at little or no cost.
Presented by: Becky Baker, Scott Childers, and Lisa Olivigni
Format: Webinar, original date February 5, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries
Length: 1 hour
Making connections and being an active part of the community you serve is especially important in small and rural libraries. It makes your library more visible and also enhances the quality of life in the community. Learn how a rural library director transformed library services over one summer, by getting out and growing awareness in the community. With the help of two enthusiastic staff, one simple idea grew into so much more. We will explore different ways to engage your community, spark young readers, and build relationships with families. Hear tips, tools, and personal stories about how the library implemented outreach services and created ways to positively impact the entire community! Learn how to make "librarian" not only your job title, but what you actively do.
Presented by: Lori Juhlin
Format: Webinar, original date February 6, 2018
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
For too many children and teens, summer is a time of hunger and learning loss. Libraries offer the perfect environment to combat childhood hunger and obesity while preventing summer learning loss by offering free, healthy lunch to kids through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. In California, Lunch at the Library was developed to provide tailored support to library staff, offering tools to develop successful public library summer meal programs that draw new families to the library, foster community partnerships, and engage families with learning and enrichment opportunities while school is out. Join us for this webinar to learn about the tools and practical tips for starting or expanding a USDA summer meals site and incorporating lunches into your summer reading program. Even if you’ve been offering summer lunches for years, you’ll come away inspired and ready to plan.
Presented by: Trish Garone, Patrice Chamberlain, and Jasmin LoBasso
Format: Webinar, original date March 2014
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Developed and funded by Redbox, and managed by OCLC in partnership with Project for Public Spaces, Outside the Box is an innovative program that brings people together for free, fun entertainment events in their local community. When people connect, communities benefit--and as trusted community anchors, public libraries are central to Outside the Box efforts.
Goals:
- Part 1: What is placemaking?
- Part 2: Turning your event into a great place experience
- Part 3: How to conduct a community brainstorming session
Objectives
- Identify a space near the library, on the library grounds, or in the community that can be used for ongoing public entertainment events
- Lead a community brainstorming or planning session on event/place design
- Identify at least three new community partners and an action plan for engaging with them
- Develop a list of reusable materials and features that can be used in the community space, to create a welcoming, comfortable environment (seating, tables, surface cover, shading, lighting, etc.)
Presented by: Elena Madison
Format: Webinar, original date June 6, 2023
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
National Voter Registration Day
(NVRD) is a nonpartisan civic holiday aimed at creating awareness of
voter registration opportunities for those who may not otherwise
register. Libraries can play a crucial role in promoting voter
engagement and education by providing registration forms, hosting
candidate events, and offering resources such as voter guides and sample
ballots. Libraries can also serve as community hubs for voter
engagement activities, bringing together local organizations and elected
officials to promote voter participation. Join this webinar to learn
about the types of resources and services your library can provide to
support voter registration and civic engagement. By participating in
NVRD, libraries of all sizes and types can help ensure that all citizens
have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote and participate
fully in our democracy.
Presented by: Kian Flynn, Lynda Reynolds, Lauren Clossey, and Anna Snyder
Format: Webinar, original date November 29, 2022
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
View this webinar to explore the concept of "Whole Person Librarianship" and to learn how a range of social work approaches can be applied to improve library services. We invite you to look at all aspects of your library through a social service lens, including policies, spaces, community partnerships, and programming. Additionally, we will discuss the amazing benefits and possibilities that exist when libraries collaborate with social workers who can bring expertise and capacity to the community through the library. You will leave knowing how to conduct a community needs assessment and how to identify resources and social services you can provide through your library. You’ll explore new ideas and goals to incorporate within your strategic plan, and gain the confidence necessary to advocate for whole person services at your library.
Presented by: Ashley Stewart
Format: Webinar, original date April 29, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Librarianship and social work have many shared values, including meeting the expanding and evolving needs of individuals and the community. Nearly 80 public libraries in the U.S. have collaborated with social work programs or schools of social work, to provide valuable learning opportunities for social work interns, and to connect community members with crucial services which exist beyond standard library offerings. Libraries or social work educators looking for ways to initiate collaborations with social work interns should join this webinar to understand the benefits, and a few challenges, to partnering with an institution or individual. Explore the types of intern assignments at the library that align with key social work competencies, from needs assessment to 1:1 patron referrals, and from staff training to outreach programs. And finally, discover how these internships can work for libraries of all types and sizes, including those in small and rural communities.
Presenters: Sarah C. Johnson
Format: Webinar, original date September 15, 2016
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Economic development and job opportunities are concerns in most communities, and thriving small businesses are important to ensuring a community's economic health. Join the Small Business Information Center (SBIC) Librarian from the Cecil County Public Library (CCPL) to learn how your library can be a part of the formula for building and supporting a stronger local economy. You'll learn how CCPL has developed the SBIC since its inception in 2003, growing from a shelf of books to a personalized service, with examples and lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Find out how your library can be an excellent resource for aspiring and experienced business owners. This session will cover the basics of collection development, classes, marketing, partnerships and more. Hear how libraries are not only helping launch small businesses, but as these businesses continue to thrive, they are able to give back to the community.
Presented by: Laura Metzler
Format: Webinar, original date April 21, 2015
Hosted by: WebJunction and TechSoup
Length: 1 hour
Every day, patrons enter libraries around the country with questions about health, housing, employment, counseling and other essential human services. And libraries are there to make these crucial connections for them. Many libraries are now exploring ways to expand their role as connector to community social services through resources such as webpages, mobile apps, and databases. These services might refer somebody to a free meal, legal assistance, support groups, and much more. Join us to hear examples of how referral services and resources have augmented the social services connections that contribute to community vitality.
Presented by: Suzanne Moore, Diane Adams,and Jasmine Africawala
