CT State Library to Partner with Libraries Without Borders US, Six Local Libraries
/The CT State Library has established a joint partnership with Libraries Without Borders US (LWB) and six local libraries in Connecticut, in East Hartford, Falls Village, Norwalk, Norwich, West Haven and Windham.
LWB is the American branch of the global NGO Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, which delivers knowledge and information to communities in crisis. LWB has worked to assist people experiencing challenges caused by the digital divide, communities living in book deserts, and those who, for various reasons, do not feel comfortable accessing their local libraries.
The CT State Library and LWB US will be working with the six public libraries across the state to build trust and grow habits that ultimately help connect new users to permanent resources available through their local public library, according to officials.
This pilot initiative will span about 12 months focusing on meeting the identified needs of each unique community. The phases of the project include community assessment, distribution of resources, implementation of programming, training, and evaluation.
Their collaborative efforts could lead to what are described as “creative solutions” such as building intentionally temporary library satellites in community spaces which could be anywhere from laundromats to apartment complexes to grocery store parking lots to community centers.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Libraries Without Borders US on this project,” said State Librarian Deborah Schander. “In the same way we must be intentional in responding to food deserts and other community needs, it’s vital we recognize and respond to the barriers which stand in the way of library usage. This approach is creative and necessary.”
The CT State Library and LWB team will be working with:
David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village
East Hartford Public Library in East Hartford
Willimantic Public Library in Windham
Norwalk Public Library in Norwalk
West Haven Public Library in West Haven
Otis Library in Norwich
“LWB is all about working with library staff in community outreach, resource sharing, and connected learning, extending beyond the library walls to engage new users in library services,” said Dawn La Valle, Director of the Division of Library Development at the CT State Library. “LWB is a thoughtful and insightful partner to work with this group of rural, suburban, and urban libraries and communities, establishing a sustainable practice with training and connections that will feed all those involved long beyond the duration of the project.”
"For more than a decade, Libraries Without Borders has been connecting people to the information they need to thrive -- from refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh to laundromats in Baltimore and San Antonio,” said Aaron Greenberg, Executive Director of LWB.
“We are enormously excited about the opportunity to bring the resources and treasures of the public library to communities across Connecticut and expand access to this vital part of our civic and digital infrastructure. We want to replicate the work we're piloting in Connecticut nationally--state by state, county by county, town by town, branch by branch," Greenberg added.
This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Connecticut State Library.
The Connecticut State Library is an Executive Branch agency of the State of Connecticut. The State Library provides a variety of library information, archival, public records, museum, and administrative services to citizens of Connecticut, as well as the employees and officials of all three branches of State government. The Connecticut State Library (CSL) Division of Library Development (DLD) provides leadership, funding, education, and statewide services that enhance a local library's ability to deliver high-quality library service to their community
