Libraries as Community Catalysts
Libraries as Community Catalysts is an OCLC research and programming initiative that seeks to support libraries and cultural institutions as catalysts for positive change. This work understands libraries as crucial community hubs with dynamic spaces for learning, collaboration, and community engagement.
OCLC Research partners with libraries and cultural institutions to offer the resources needed to meet changing community needs. This approach emphasizes the evolving and expanding role of libraries as essential contributors to a community's well-being and development.
Presentations
“A little bit of communication can go a long way.” The importance of Library Community Involvement and Relationship Building
Te Puna Libraries, New Zealand
In this presentation, Lynn Silipigni Connaway describes the different roles libraries play, and how libraries are centering themselves in the life of their users in several important ways. She also provides an overview of the OCLC Research Library Partnership.
Topics: Student Support
![“It [library tour] wasn't what do you do when you need to make a literature review…” Proactively Positioning the Library in the Life of the User](/content/dam/research/presentations/2019/082619-connaway-library-life-user-ifla19.pptx.thumb.1280.1280.png)
“It [library tour] wasn't what do you do when you need to make a literature review…” Proactively Positioning the Library in the Life of the User
Athens, Greece
In this keynote presentation, Lynn Silipigni Connaway provides context for the state of information seeking, and makes a case for positioning the library as more than just a place. She also provides examples for both academic and public libraries that are meeting the users where they are.
Topics: Information Literacy, Student Support