Thriving, multiracial democracies rely on vibrant public spaces—places where people can gather, connect, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Yet across the United States, a range of forces has weakened the foundation of civic life: deep social and economic divides, political polarization, declining trust in institutions, and fewer spaces where communities can come together across differences. To counter these trends, researchers and community leaders alike emphasize the need to build the capacity of grassroots leaders, expand inclusive civic spaces, and promote local participation that fosters connection and understanding.

Public libraries—present in nearly every community across North America—are uniquely positioned to advance these efforts.

To help reverse this trend, the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is proud to launch a new initiative: Promoting Civic Discourse in North American Library Systems, in partnership with Everyday Democracy. This work is made possible through a multi-year $182,000 grant from the American Arbitration Association–International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR) Foundation.

Together, the Urban Libraries Council and Everyday Democracy will train up to 50 library leaders in multi-partial facilitation—a dialogue approach that promotes balance, equity, and inclusion by encouraging multiple viewpoints, addressing power imbalances, and challenging dominant narratives.

The goal is to strengthen community bonds and create more inclusive, participatory public spaces. Trained librarians will go on to host community conversations in up to 12 cities across North America, engaging more than 300 participants in thoughtful dialogue on pressing local issues.