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.
Get energized with community
engagement talks
These 10–15-minute presentations explore how to facilitate local conversations, partner for impact, and create valuable community programming.
Wellness culture: Start with staff, extend to your community
Steven Potter, Director, Mid-Continent Public Library, talks about workplace wellness programs in place even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear about his team’s approach and commitment to wellness, including building design, an on-staff wellness coordinator, and the successful Access Wellness community program.
Related WebJunction resources
Build bridges with what bonds and inspires your community
The Wilmington Institute Library has embraced its evolving role as a social, intellectual, and recreational community hub. Hear how Executive Director Jamar Rahming and his staff make vital community connections through arts and cultural programs that encourage conversations, including bringing legendary Black artists, athletes, and other public figures to Wilmington.
Related WebJunction resources
Digital equity through community partnerships
The COVID-19 pandemic rocketed digital equity into the national spotlight. How can you keep building on that momentum at your library? Dr. Audrey Barbakoff, CEO, Co/Lab Capacity, explains how community partnerships can lead to sustainable innovation in digital equity.
Related WebJunction resources
Expand multilingual access for library customers
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System has significantly expanded multilingual access to its programs and services in recent years, with growing Spanish, Amharic, Tagalog, French, Yoruba, and Arabic-speaking populations. Nicholas A. Brown, COO for Communication and Outreach, shares tactics that can be adapted to make your library more welcoming for non-English speakers.
Related WebJunction resources
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
Helping local businesses thrive in Henderson, Nevada
Libraries are valuable to entrepreneurs who need resources to start or expand businesses. The Green Valley Library in Nevada set up a “Business Hub” to provide local entrepreneurs with business development support.
Featured story
Cooking up community engagement in Kansas City
Read about the new Green Hills Library Center that is centered around food-related businesses and entrepreneurs—an outgrowth of the library's wildly successful programs for small businesses.
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
Show details
31 March 2023
Universal Design at Your Library
This presentation will introduce the principles of Universal Design and offer concrete advice for how to apply each of the principles at any library.
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, North America [UTC -4]
Show details
19 April 2023
Proactive Planning for Library Staff Transitions
This webinar will introduce practical approaches to preserve organizational knowledge, clarify processes for current staff and trustees, and ease the learning curve for new employees.
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, North America [UTC -4]
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18 May 2023
Library Safety and Security: A Holistic Approach
This session will present a holistic approach for creating safe environments, through strong community relationships, inclusive policies, and empowered staff.
- Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 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.
More on-demand
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28 April 2022
CONTENTdm Connect
Learn how libraries are engaging their communities through their digital collections during this CONTENTdm special event.
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, North America [UTC -4]
This event has passed. View the archive.
Expand your community efforts with
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
