What role should community libraries play in the building/ development of their communities (think about empowering the disadvantaged, or in peace and reconciliation in post-conflict societies, slums etc).
The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation has developed a step-by-step process to help libraries strengthen their role as community leaders and bring about positive change in their communities. A Step-By-Step Guide to 'Turning Outward' to Your Community, available at http://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/resources-for-library-professionals offers tools to better understand communities; change processes and thinking to make conversations more community-focused; be proactive to community issues; and put community aspirations first.
Yes this a very helpful resource Olivier. Libraries need to redefine their position in community. Thanks a lot Olivier Serrat I wonder others are impacting their communities.
My sense is that Community Libraries, especially if community members participate in their initiation, development and management structures, could play an extremely important role as a place for gathering, knowledge exchange, education, and development of social networks and support. They should not be 'imposed top-down' but rather evolve in collaboration with community members.
Linda Harms Smith thanks for the reply. You are right that community libraries have a great role in developing their communities. But the challenge presently are many. There is a general lack of understanding of what Libraries are both within the profession and policy makers. So its common to find many libraries left out of the development agenda, budget cuts, among others. This is a global trend but pronounced in most African countries.
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