Public Libraries in Waimea, Hawai’i and Toledo, Ohio

Fostering Connections at the Library

Public libraries hold a special status in communities. Even as many Americans are losing faith in institutions, the local library remains a trusted and safe place for people from all walks of life. Because of this unique reputation, the library can play a major role in fostering economic connectedness in every type of community. 

Libraries are designed to be open and free, making them accessible to people of all socioeconomic statuses. This openness is aided by library workers, who approach their work with a commitment to inclusivity. By designing programs to meet the needs of different community members in their service area, librarians and library workers serve as brokers of connections across lines of difference. 

Some of these programs give people a say in the direction of their community. The public library in Waimea, Hawai’i serves as an example. The library workers there knew that community members traditionally had felt left out of the county’s land-use decisions. When the staff in Waimea heard about a new development proposal, they decided to apply for a Libraries Transforming Community grant from the American Library Association (ALA). This grant provided the staff with the training, resources, and funding needed to host a series of community dialogues about the proposal. These conversations remained civil and provided residents from diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to have their voices heard on a significant plan for their community. 

Other programs at public libraries help people grow in their professional careers. Librarians at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library in Ohio, for example, felt uniquely positioned to support aspiring entrepreneurs from under-resourced areas. Through partnerships with local chambers of commerce and other nonprofit agencies, the library connects new entrepreneurs with established business leaders, bridging opportunity gaps and helping grow the local economy.

These are just two examples. Libraries across the country provide the space for cross-class interactions and connections. These are the connections that make our communities more cohesive, civically engaged, and economically dynamic. 

More information about the ALA’s “Libraries Transforming Communities” initiative is here.