Gun Violence and Libraries: Engaging the Community
Resources for libraries on addressing policies, education, and training on gun violence.
Overview
Libraries are trusted, neutral, safe spaces. As such, libraries are one place in the community where complex conversations can take place. Here are some of the resources offered by the American Library Association and its units, along with some sample programs.
Community Engagement Resources from ALA
- ALA Center for Civic LifeThe American Library Association ALA Center for Civic Life (CCL) promotes
engagement and fosters public deliberation through libraries. Launched in 2010 in
conjunction with the Kettering Foundation and the National Issues Forum Institute, the
Center is building the capacity of libraries and librarians to help citizens get more engaged in the civic life of their communities. - Dialog & Deliberation ResourcesPart of the Libraries Transforming Communities, this is a guide to options for structuring the dialog.
- I Need You, You Need Me: A Report about Bringing Ages TogetherBlog post reporting on a report from Generations United and The Eisner Foundation on the importance of bringing generations together.
- Libraries Transforming Communities: Models for ChangeA collaborative program between ALA and the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation.
Training Programs and Webinars from ALA
- ALA, Harwood Institute announce 2017 Public Innovators Lab for LibrariesPress release announcing fifth annual training opportunity to help libraries strengthen their role as agents of positive change in their communities, scheduled for October, 2017.
- Civic & Community EngagementLinks to webinars, websites, lesson plans and studies from the Public Library Association.
- Libraries Transfroming CommunitiesLinks to upcoming or recorded past presentations to learn how your library can facilitate important conversations and lead change in your community.
Books
- YALSA's Top Reads: Community Engagement and Collaboration byPublication Date: 2017Essays in the areas of Making Change, Empowering Youth, and Connecting with the Community: The Reasoning and Strategy; Making Change, Empowering Youth, and Connecting with the Community: Ideas in Practice; and Professionals Taking Action: Stories of Strategies and Successes
Examples
- Springfield City Library: Turning Outward to Fight ViolenceUsing training from the Libraries Transforming Communities Public Innovators Cohort and the "turning outward" approach, Springfield City Library developed programs to combat violence.
- Case Study: Hartford (Conn.) Public Library: Building on a Foundation of Success ... and Going Deep to Go BroadHow Hartford’s library — which has a long, successful history of community engagement work — led a series of community conversations to improve relationships between residents and police officers in an underserved part of the city.