The library has a key role in the learning lives of adults, but there are barriers that we cannot always address. Collections can be difficult to navigate, programming can be limited by staff time, expertise and could exclude some members of our communities. At the same time, free, high quality courses are widely available on the internet. We Learn enables community members to facilitate social learning. By training volunteer facilitators to lead adults in learning we can increase access to opportunities.

We Learn is a comprehensive model for connecting community members with trained volunteer facilitators to convene interest-based, informal learning groups. Community members register to take an online course or join a discussion group with a group of learners at a local library. Sessions are facilitated by a peer facilitator — someone who is not necessarily an expert in the subject matter, but whose role is to lead discussion, coordinate the group and to check in with learners on their progress meeting individual goals.

As we continue to adopt this model throughout our system, we will be able to increase the number and range of topics of adult learning in our locations. This model enables the library to quickly and appropriately respond to requests for learning.

In surveys taken by 83 participants in several programs that are the basis for this model:

• 95% learned something new that was helpful
• 94% felt confident about what they learned
• 96% intend to apply something they learned
• 89% are more aware of library resources