While public libraries are generally viewed as inclusive spaces, there are large segments of community that do not use them. Beginning in 2004, four large urban library systems from across Canada - Vancouver, Toronto, Regina and Halifax Public Libraries - spent four years working in socially excluded communities, to determine how to make public library services relevant to the needs of underserved communities. As a result, it was discovered that when communities are involved in the identification, development and delivery of library services, there can be an exhilarating effect. Since the conclusion of the highly successful Working Together Project (2004-2008), public libraries from across Canada have integrated community-led approaches and techniques. This webinar, brought to you in collaboration with Library Journal, will discuss the major outcomes of the project and provide examples of how the bringing this approach into library service planning makes libraries even more relevant to local needs.

Presenters: Tracey Jones-Grant, manager of ELL, Literacy and Diversity Services, Halifax Public Libraries; Kenneth Williment, community development manager for Halifax Public Libraries; and Randy Gatley, community librarian, Vancouver Public Library.

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to login to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
• View chat (xls) 

Related Resources and Links

• Community-Led Libraries Toolkit:
  https://www.vpl.ca/working-together-community-led-libraries-toolkit
• A collection on WebJunction of resources on Libraries and Homelessness
• Asset Mapping at Halifax Public Libraries: A Tool for Beginning to Discover the Library's Role with the Immigrant Community in Halifax
• Community-Led Libraries resources
  
• Shared in Chat:
  
  • Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K Payne
  • The Spirit Level by Wilkinson & Picket and also in Wikipedia

  See also, Developing Community-Led Public Libraries
  by John Pateman, Thunder Bay Public Library Service, Ontario and Ken Williment, Halifax Public Libraries, Canada and this announcement of its publication.