Ask, Listen, Empower

Foreword by Tracie D. Hall Community engagement isn't simply an important component of a successful library-it's the foundation upon which every service, offering, and initiative rests. Working collaboratively with community members-be they library customers, residents, faculty, students or partner organizations-ensures that the library works, period. This important resource from ALA's Public Programs Office (PPO) provides targeted guidance on how libraries can effectively engage with the public to address a range of issues for the betterment of the community. Featuring contributions by leaders active in library-led community engagement, it's designed to be equally useful as a teaching text for LIS students and a go-to handbook for current programming, adult services, and outreach library staff. Balancing historical context with case studies and stories from field, this collection explores such key topics as: why libraries belong in the community engagement realm; the differences and overlap between outreach, engagement, and advocacy; getting the support of board and staff; how to understand your community; pointers on telling your story for maximum impact; the ethics and challenges of engaging often unreached segments of the community; identifying and building engaged partnerships; archives and community engagement; engaged programming; and outcome measurement. Sharing numerous examples of successful change, dialogue and deliberation, and collaborative efforts, this book offers a comprehensive look at community engagement work that can help all libraries reinforce their roles as champions of lifelong learning.