Libraries are no longer buildings only filled with books, but community centers that aim to meet a wide variety of community needs. At the Free Library of Philadelphia, we are not waiting for patrons to come into the building. We are taking our work out into the community to meet people where they are and learn more about how we can better serve the neighborhood. By hiring trained community organizers, we are expanding and improving the ways we do this work. During this session, we will discuss what we have learned from adding community organizers to our staff. We will explain why we use this model and how we have seen it strengthen our relationships with the community. We will discuss why we put our resources towards capacity building for both our staff and the community. Participants will engage in an interactive training similar to the ones we facilitate with both staff and community members, providing an opportunity to practice these skills and build relationships with their colleagues.

Organizers
Miriam Holzman-Lipsitz, Manager of Community Relations, Free Library of Philadelphia, USA

Tania-Maria Rios, Community Organizer, Free Library of Philadelphia, USA

Date
Friday, 14 September, 1:30 pm

Location
Campus, Room F