Civic & Community Engagement

Engaged and empowered citizens generate optimism about the future, produce good decisions on meeting tough community challenges and contribute to local economic vitality. In communities large and small, public libraries provide leadership, information, tools and a place where people can connect to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of active civic engagement.

This category honors innovations in partnering with local government and other community institutions; advancing civic and community knowledge and initiating activities to promote community discourse as well as problem-solving.

Civic and Community Engagement

I Street: A Community & Writing Publishing Center

I Street Press establishes the library as the community hub for creativity by connecting people, resources and the means to turn their ideas into a meaningful printed product. In addition, I Street offers classes in writing and publishing and gives people a space and a forum to express themselves. Read More ›

Civic and Community Engagement

Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), Hartford Public Library (HPL)

In response to unprecedented need for civic engagement Hartford Public Library has created the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE). The CCE will create a community change process, foster development of a community vision, contribute to a stronger, more successful community, and establish a civic engagement model. Read More ›

Civic and Community Engagement

Hot Spots: A Technology-Based Approach to Community Engagement

Free Library Hot Spots transform lives and build community by providing a sustained connection to Library resources through collaboration with neighborhood organizations and citywide partners. The initiative begins with technology access and extends to community users’ digital confidence and skills, community knowledge, gains in social capital, and pride of place. Read More ›

ESL in partnership with the University of Central Florida ›
Orange County Library System, FL

Partners: The Library and The Humanities ›
Gwinnett County Public Library, GA

Edmonton Public Library's Community-Led Service Philosophy ›
Edmonton Public Library, AL

Vital Conversations ›
Calgary Public Library, AL

Elder Abuse Prevention ›
Baltimore County Public Library, MD

Villard Square Learning Campus ›
Milwaukee Public Library, WI

Savannah Children's Book Festival ›
Live Oak Public Libraries, GA

Mission Branch Library ›
San Antonio Public Library/Mission Branch, TX

Bridgeport Public Library Commons ›
Bridgeport Public Library, CT

Future of the Library Task Force ›
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC

Monthly Free Saturday Legal Clinic ›
Memphis Public Library and Information Center, TN

American Dream Starts @ your library, International Storytimes, ESL Classes and Citizenship Workshops & Naturalization Ceremonies at Memphis (TN) Public Library & Information Center ›
Memphis Public Library & Information Center, TN

Kill-a-Watt Monitors ›
Sacramento Public Library, CA

Tulsa Then and Now: Mapping the BFC ›
Tulsa City-County Library, OK

ONEplace@kpl: Opportunities for Nonprofit Excellence ›
Kalamazoo Public Library, MI

Library Helps Rebuild Springfield ›
Springfield City Library, MA

Book-to-Action ›
Hayward Public Library, CA

Enhancing Social Safety Net Access through Community Collaboration ›
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

I Street: A Community & Writing Publishing Center ›
Sacramento Public Library, CA

Cultural and Religious Pluralism Today: Building Civility & Unity ›
Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Choose Civility ›
Howard County Library System, MD

Bridgeport Votes ›
Bridgeport Public Library, CT

Hot Spots: A Technology-Based Approach to Community Engagement ›
Free Library of Philadelphia, PA

Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), Hartford Public Library (HPL) ›
Hartford Public Library, CT

Working With a Developmental Partner ›
Mid-Continent Public Library, MO

genteXt: Books, Bars, and Beers ›
Durham County Library, NC