WebJunction news archives

  • MassillonLibrary-eclipse2

    Social Library: Eclipse edition

    For this edition of the Social Library, we’re taking a look back at how libraries across North America helped their communities celebrate the recent solar eclipse. We know that you probably worked tirelessly to answer questions, pass out eclipse glas...

  • Group of people standing in a garden, in front of an arched sign that reads ‘Community’

    Growing library garden programs

    Library gardens offer a great way for community members to come together to learn, grow, and contribute towards a healthy, balanced environment. And creating a vibrant community green space or gardening program doesn’t have to be complicated. Across ...

  • Two women standing in front of a stage, one of them holding an award

    Singing the unsung heroes who make libraries successful

    Community partnerships play an important role in creating successful libraries, and Berks County Public Library is no exception. Each year, the library honors individuals and groups in the community who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation,...

  • ARL

    Helping libraries to be autism-ready

    Imagine a child standing in front of a brightly lit room at their local public library. Lively music is playing, and bubbles are bouncing all around. Children and adults fill the room, talking loudly and playing with toys. Off in the distance is a co...

  • a group of smiling people working together at a table

    Co-creating library services through human-centered design

    Much of the work of co-creation happens before you start to plan a concrete service or program. It’s worth spending the time up front to establish authentic, asset-based relationships and craft a scope that aligns with both community aspirations and ...

  • Summer Reading Club kids reading on steps, British Columbia

    Reading in the balance: Exploring the role of public library in the ‘science of reading’

    Learning to read is neither an innate nor simple process, and recently there has been increased scrutiny on whether schools are effectively preparing children to learn to read. Colloquially referred to as “the reading wars,” this scrutiny has led to ...

  • Stylized text reading: "Join the STAR net community" and three illustrated dancing figures

    STAR Net resources

    Libraries all over sparked curiosity about space, astronomy, and all things STEM-related during the recent solar eclipse. If you’re looking for ideas to help your community members continue the learning, we’ve got you covered. Explore new ways to bri...

  • sensory room with a swing chair, SAD lamp, crash pad, and other sensory items

    Hopkinton Public Library unites community in library planning

    At Hopkinton Public Library in Iowa, community engagement is thriving. And the secret to this success is including community members in in the planning, from beginning to end. From an annual haunted house to community bake-offs, the library incorpora...

  •  two men speaking and looking at papers in the foreground, with two women in the background

    Align library services with community aspirations

    The most successful library services are often those that help the community meet its aspirations while also honoring the unique purpose of the library. But balancing the community’s goals and the library’s scope is not always an easy task.

  • group of smiling people with four therapy dogs

    Together we heal

    Like many small-town libraries, Jarrell Community Library is an important place for connection. And through a recent Libraries for Heath grant, the library is offering new kinds of connections—to peer mental health specialists and an array of resourc...