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WHAT
The Learning in Libraries Initiative (LiL) is a direct response to the increasing need for urban communities to provide activities and programs that enrich children's lives during out of school hours. Funded by the Wallace Foundation, LiL supports and expands the unique role libraries play in the Out-of-School Time (OST) education movement. The Urban Libraries Council provides project administration and leadership.
WHEN/WHERE
In the wake of massive budget cuts following 9-11, the Wallace Foundation began working with the Urban Libraries Council and New York City’s (NYC) three library systems—the Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library and Queens Public Library to develop joint ventures to enrich the lives of youth after school, on weekends and during the summer. The project launched in 2003 with $2 million grants to each of the three systems.
HOW
Each library has been responsible for strengthening its OST programs and collections and for developing an aspect of the Learning in Libraries citywide library collaboration. Project staff worked closely with the NYC Department of Education to better understand the academic needs and curricula for one million students citywide.
- The Queens Library provided leadership on the development of a joint summer reading program that boosted enrollment by 30 percent. Kids can sign up on a citywide website, and post reviews of books read.
- New York Public Library developed an online homework help website— www.homeworkNYC.org —withlinks to a rich variety of resources. The site is available to all NYC students. A library card is not required. The site has received wide attention, including coverage in The New Yorker and ABC Morning News, where one enthusiastic student said, "This makes studying fun, easier and faster." In May 2006 the site received a national "Webby Award" for its design.
- The Brooklyn Public Library initiated "Everyone Serves Youth," a training program to help all library staff better understand children's needs in order to communicate and serve them more effectively. More than 3,500 employees in all three systems have received the training. The response has been extremely positive.
WHY
Libraries make great partners and can help bring communities together to provide quality programs for youth. With leadership from the Urban Libraries Council and the Wallace Foundation, the Learning in Libraries initiative provides a real life testing ground for how libraries and communities can invest in meaningful and effective out-of-school activities for children.
WHAT WAS NEXT
The experiences and outcomes of LiL were shared at a national conference Learning in Libraries: A National Call to Action on October 19-20, 2006, in New York. Libraries throughout the country were invited to send teams of three to four people, including senior staff and community partners from local government, schools and youth service agencies.
WHO
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC), based in Evanston, Ill., works to strengthen public libraries as an essential part of urban life. Its programs are acclaimed for inspiring new organizational models that invigorate urban libraries and enrich the areas surrounding them. For more information, see www.urbanlibraries.org.
The Wallace Foundation, based in New York, seeks to support and share effective ideas and practices that will strengthen education leadership, arts participation and out-of-school learning. For more information on the Wallace Foundation please visit: www.wallacefoundation.org.
MORE INFORMATION
The project’s first report is titled Learning in Libraries: White Paper on Principles and Practices for Public Library Services to Children and Young Adults During Out-of-School Time" by Virginia A. Walter, Ph.D. et al, 2005. A final report will be published in Spring 2007.
If you have any questions or need further information please contact info@urbanlibraries.org.
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