Meeting Communities at Their Point of Need: Libraries as Trusted Partners

Moderator(s)

• 

  Teri DeVoe

  Associate Deputy Director, Grants to States
  Institute of Museum and Library Services

Speaker(s)

• LA

  Leesa Aiken

  Director
  South Carolina State Library
• BC

  Beverly Cain

  State Librarian
  State Library of Ohio
• JL

  James Lonergan

  Director
  Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

In its latest strategic plan, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) points to libraries as trusted spaces and sources of information, which enables them to meet community needs around learning, capacity building, and information access. This session will showcase examples in three states, where libraries are building on trusted relationships through IMLS grant-funded projects to meet users at their point of need. From community dialogs to programs focused on health epidemics and citizenship, participants will hear how libraries are tackling the hard issues. IMLS and State Library panelists will also share how these investments support their long-range planning.