Build connections, grow relationships, and increase your impact
Today’s engaged library workers inspire their communities and each other in countless ways. Whether sharing successful ideas with colleagues or creating community events, outreach activities, and partnerships, you make a difference. With OCLC programs, research, and services, you can spotlight the work you do for libraries everywhere—not just across town, but around the world.
Want to share your library’s community success stories?
We are bringing voices together with #EngagedLibraries, a new social media campaign that invites library workers to share ideas, highlight impactful programs and partnerships, and celebrate breakthroughs and the people who make them happen. Help us grow the conversation by posting today and year-round.
What is community engagement?
It means different things to different libraries, but most agree that it’s about interacting, connecting, and communicating.
“[It's] using our resources to connect with and meet the needs of people of our county of all ages. [And also using] our ability to work with other agencies to reach all demographics, assess the wants and needs of those being served, and create a plan of engagement to truly achieve a positive outcome by forming a network of services all working together.”
—US public library
How do libraries engage in communities and on campuses?
80% plan or participate in community-focused events
77% partner with local organizations (even more so for publics)
49% collaborate with local leaders to solve problems
31% support or lead discussions on difficult local or national issues
Community engagement starts with listening.
82% of libraries assess community needs by conducting surveys.
44% have an advisory group
32% survey non-library users
23% hold public meetings
Library staff dedicated to community engagement are busy—really busy.
Most focus on creating outreach and programming for the campus or community.
They also work on:
Marketing
Event promotion
Partnerships
Many different library staff support community engagement efforts.
41% don’t have a dedicated staff position, but wish they did
“Community engagement is vital to the success of a library and enrichment of the community. Community engagement is bringing together all parties to provide accurate information, needed resources, and a sense of belonging.”
—US academic library
About the above survey results: OCLC conducted an online study November 5-19, 2020, with a sample of 223 U.S. public and academic libraries. Results are +/- 6% at the 95% confidence level.
Recent insights and perspectives by and
for libraries
Featured #EngagedLibraries post
Getting creative in Montana to broaden community reach
The Billings Public Library hosted a skate clinic with experienced riders, providing an overview and practice drills. The library also meets skateboarders where they are with the “BPL at the Skate Park.”
Featured story
Creating community in Ohio through healthy food access
Toledo Lucas County Public Library is working with the SAME Café to offer healthy food to users. This collaboration helps the library meet a need it was aware of but didn’t have resources to support.
Build new community connections with partnership marketing
Meet all your library marketing goals and reach entirely new audiences, while also increasing awareness of your resources and services.
Improve your community engagement skills
Enjoy free learning opportunities for libraries of all sizes, types, and
Library of Things
Planning, budgeting, and creating a collection of loaned objects.
Advancing IDEAs
Improving inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
Public Health Emergencies
A management playbook for archives, libraries, and museums.
Upcoming events
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03 October 2023
Climate Justice
This webinar with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative will explore the disproportional impacts of climate change on systematically oppressed communities.
- Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, North America [UTC -4]
Show details
11 October 2023
Revitalizing Morale: Cultivating a Supportive Library Culture
In this webinar, delve deeper into essential facets that foster a healthy and supportive library culture, exploring institutional and individual solutions to countering low morale.
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, North America [UTC -4]
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24 October 2023
Building Community Relationships for Better Library Services
Explore strategies for finding community partners and building relationships with them with the goal of truly working in collaboration with people they serve.
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, North America [UTC -4]
Featured on-demand
Show details
18 March 2021
Lessons from the COVID pivot: Community engagement now and in the future
A panel discussion with three passionate library leaders
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, North America [UTC -4]
This event has passed. View the archive.
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OCLC products
Capira℠
Mobile app solutions that provide a digital extension of your library with new ways to engage
CONTENTdm®
An easy and effective tool to build, showcase, and preserve your community’s unique collections
