Free Guide and eCourse: Libraries as Leaders in Bridging Divides

ALA Public Programs Office

In today’s increasingly polarized society, libraries play a vital role as hubs of connection, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. By hosting community conversations, libraries create intentional spaces that encourage listening, learning and a deeper sense of respect among neighbors. 

The new free guide and eCourse from the American Library Association (ALA), developed by a team of seven advisors in collaboration with the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD), will equip library workers with the tools needed to facilitate challenging conversations on divisive issues, promoting understanding and empathy. 

Building on the success of Libraries Transforming Communities, which launched in 2014 and has provided millions in funding to support community-focused projects nationwide, the  Libraries as Leaders in Bridging Divides project continues ALA’s commitment to empowering library workers. 

The Guide

“Leading Polarizing Conversations”, a facilitation guide, provides practical tools that will help library workers plan for and design meaningful conversations, utilize best practices for facilitation, deploy strategies for navigating tough dialogues and implement follow-up actions. The 40-page guide also includes resources to further continue learning and practicing facilitation. 

Download the guide here

The eCourse

The eCourse, Libraries as Leaders in Bridging Divides, is a five module asynchronous course designed to help harness the power of dialogue in the library. Learners will gain confidence with the tools from NCDD to lead impactful conversations on polarizing issues. With prompts, templates and a conversation planning tool, this course will benefit both experienced facilitators and those new to this work.

Access the eCourse here by creating a free ALA account

To learn more about the program, please visit https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/bridgingdivides.

This project was made possible by the Ford Foundation. The Ford Foundation is an independent organization working to address inequality and build a future grounded in justice. For more than 85 years, it has supported visionaries on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. Today, with an endowment of $16 billion, the foundation has headquarters in New York and 10 regional offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.