Transformative Outreach - Growth Through Impactful Partnerships and Inquiry-Based Programming

Reimagining outreach services as programming opportunities and prioritizing community stakeholder voices are essential to creating equitable access to library resources and empowering youth to be innovators and creative problem-solvers. Lorain Public Library System’s (OH) Discovery on the Go initiative brings inquiry-based library programs into Preschool and K-12 classrooms, increasing accessibility to the library for under-resourced youth in rural, suburban, and urban settings. The presenters will share their combined experiences in reimagining outreach services, developing youth programming, identifying and building effective partner relationships, and constructing plans to address crucial community needs.

Libraries seeking to transform or create outreach services focused on community building will learn how the Lorain Public Library System addresses crucial needs through effective partnerships. Library workers who seek to engage and empower young people will hear about foundational strategies for creating and implementing high quality youth programming tailored to the unique needs of diverse populations through partner organizations.

During this session, participants will practice determining critical, community, stakeholder organizations and strategies for achieving shared goals for serving youth where they are. After this session, participants will be equipped to design outreach programming that engages youth intellectual capacity, sparks curiosity, develops social skills and emotional awareness, or promotes creative problem solving. Applying gained knowledge, participants will practice creating an operational plan for youth outreach programs in their service areas.