About the Program

Developed and funded by Redbox, and managed by OCLC in partnership with Project for Public Spaces, Outside the Box is an innovative program that brings people together for free, fun entertainment events in their local community. When people connect, communities benefit—and as trusted community anchors, public libraries are central to Outside the Box efforts.

Through a competitive application process, 22 libraries and their communities were chosen for the 2014 program based on key characteristics such as geographic and ethnic diversity, local leadership, and innovative ideas for events and community activities. Participants selected for Outside the Box received

  • training on placemaking principles and planning community-wide events
  • consultation and support from OCLC and Project for Public Spaces on event and space design, event planning and material selection
  • selection of up to $5000 in reusable materials provided by Redbox.

The 2014 communities participating in Outside the Box are

  • Wallkill Public Library (New York)
  • Spencer County Public Library (Indiana)
  • Westland Public Library (Michigan)
  • Ada Community Library (Idaho)
  • Carter County Public Library (Kentucky)
  • Sevier County Public Library (Tennessee)
  • M.N. Spear Memorial Library (Massachusetts)
  • Springfield City Library-Mason Branch (Massachusetts)
  • Athens-Limestone Public Library (Alabama)
  • Shrewsbury Public Library (Massachusetts)
  • BHM Regional Library System-Bath Community (North Carolina)
  • Spokane Public Library (Washington)
  • Chemung County Library District (New York)
  • San Pedro Public Library (California)
  • Pembroke Public Library District (Illinois)
  • Gillett Public Library (Wisconsin)
  • Pontiac Public Library (Michigan)
  • Orange County Library System - Winter Garden Library (Florida)
  • Rocky J Adkins Public Library (Kentucky)
  • Pottsboro Library (Texas)
  • Bedford Public Library (Indiana)
  • Livingston Parish (Louisiana)

These creative library staff, volunteers and community partners planned and hosted fun, free events that ranged from kayak lessons, to arts and craft activities, to kite flying, to harvest fairs, and—of course, movies!

In addition, Redbox sponsored special movie nights for all the communities who applied for the 2014 Outside the Box program. These 20 additional libraries were sent a traveling movie kit --including a inflatable movie screen, projector, and sound equipment -- and coupons for free Redbox movie rentals, to use for their special movie night event this summer.