Community-centered libraries engage staff in promoting and supporting positive change in their local communities. However, the steps for authentically engaging the community in problem-solving are often unclear. In this webinar, participants will be introduced to the SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) Model and learn how to use it as a facilitation tool for conducting meetings with their library communities. The role of digital programming as a SOAR response to the challenges of COVID-19 will be explored, with presenters and participants alike sharing their successes and challenges.

This webinar is part 3 of a series on community-centered libraries made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Presented by:

• Sarah Giskin, Community Initiatives Specialist, Northwest Cluster, Free Library of Philadelphia
• Becky Shaknovich, Department Head, Central Children's Department and Field Teen Center, Free Library of Philadelphia
• Suzin Weber, Tacony Neighborhood Library Branch Manager, Free Library of Philadelphia

Facilitated by:

• Shahadah Abdul-Rashid, Community Initiatives Specialist, Southwest Cluster, Free Library of Philadelphia
• Lynn Williamson, Chief, Neighborhood Library Services Division, Free Library of Philadelphia

Access Recording

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

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
• Take and Turn - Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.

Related Resources and Links

• About the Community-Centered Libraries project
• Skills for Community-Centered Libraries Curriculum now available
• Community-Centered Libraries blog series from Free Library of Philadelphia
• Webinar 1, Building Connections with Community Assets
• Webinar 2, On Implicit Bias and Communication
• Aspen Institute, Dialogue on Public Libraries, and report, Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries, (2014)
• Philly Goat Project video
• Additional links shared in chat:
• Intergenerational Programs at the Library: Connecting Generations for Healthy Communities, WebJunction webinar
• For alternatives to surveys, explore WebJunction's Toolkit for Creating Smart Spaces with wonderful alternatives to gathering community input, for programming and services as well as spaces.