Ben Franklin Circle
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Based on Franklin’s “club for mutual improvement,” these meetings help participants improve themselves and their communities.
APPLY NOW: LTC Engagement Grant
Apply now for a new annual grant to support innovative community engagement efforts in libraries.
Reflections on Year 2 of Skills for Community-Centered Libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia looks at the evaluation results of their Community-Centered Libraries initiative as it plans for the future.
APPLY NOW: Facilitation Training
An ALA initiative helps small and rural library staff develop the communication skills they need to thrive.
Gardening for Kids Programs Grow Community Connections
A Free Library of Philadelphia branch hosts a kids' gardening program as part of the system's Community-Centered Libraries initiative.
Engaging Community Partners in Program Planning
A Free Library of Philadelphia librarian shares how community engagement training helped her learn to ignite lasting partner relationships.
The Power of Community Conversations
Erika R. Martinez shares how her library learned about, and worked to overcome, customers' feelings of disconnect in a fast-changing city.
Community Conversations: Lessons Learned
Community Conversations have stretched Mid-Manhattan Library staff to build community-mapping, partnership-building and facilitation skills.
Bringing 'American Creed' to Your Library
Public libraries can apply to host community conversations around the PBS documentary "American Creed."
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Community Engagement
As the Free Library strives to be more community-centered, staff reflect on how individual and collective trauma have impacted patrons.