ULC Civic Engagement Report - WebJunction

3. Encourage and expect staff to get outside the library walls.• Facilitating strategic planning processes that address broadcommunity needs• Providing civic and voter educationLibrary staff are community ambassadors. Their presence in the communityon critical activities—not just library business—helps raise the library’s profileas a civic engagement leader. For example, the Hartford Public Library (CT)has a full-time position dedicated to community development and civicengagement. Associate Librarian for Community Development and CivicOutreach Richard Frieder said the most important work he does every day isbuilding relationships throughout the city, and the rest of his work grows outof those relationships.• Serving as voter registration and polling sitesCalgary Public Library (AB) Chief Executive Officer Gerry Meek uses afour-step process for identifying needs and opportunities that shape howthe library operates in the community:• Listen to the community• Make what the library does matter• Identify dialogues that the library can influence• Play to the library’s strengthsstepping up to the civic engagement challenge“I intentionally wander the city and spend time in City Hall so that I knowwhat’s happening,” Frieder said. “My goal is to make sure people see me,know me, and think of the library.”The Edmonton Public Library (AB) affirmed its commitment to civic andcommunity engagement by establishing 17 community librarian positionsworking out of service points throughout the city. The decentralized modelgives the library valuable intelligence on community priorities and helpsbuild strong relationships throughout the community. During their firstyear of operation, the community librarians worked with more than 300organizations in the city for a total average of 145 hours per week.Staff at the Alachua County Library District (FL) are encouraged to leavethe library, go out into the community, learn what the community needs,and explore how the library can help meet those needs. viii With its sloganof “thinking outside the book,” the library has positioned itself as a placewhere new ideas thrive beyond typical library services. “It is important to getimbedded in your community so that stakeholders see the library as centralto the community rather than an amenity,” said Alachua County LibraryDistrict Director Shaney T. Livingston.4. Identify opportunities to make a differencein the community.Dealing with the challenges of a leadership roleStepping into a civic engagement leadership role offers opportunitiesand challenges for libraries. The clear opportunity is to build stronger,economically resilient communities where citizens feel they have a voiceand role in decisions and actions that affect their lives. But, an extrovertedleadership role means moving into unfamiliar territory, which may be morepolitical or contentious than traditional library business. Challenges librariesmay face as they build their civic engagement credentials include:• Taking the heat that comes with a leadership roleFlying under the radar screen has its advantages. Being a leaderraises expectations about broad and quick results and increasesthe likelihood of criticism, naysayers, and missed expectations.Over the past decade, libraries have been strategic and resourcefulin reinventing themselves in the face of changing needs whilesustaining their status and reputation in the community. Thatfoundation will help when operating in new and more challengingterritory. Setting manageable expectations, communicatingregularly, and being aware of the challenges that come fromnaysayers are important to managing the leadership role.stepping up to the civic engagement challengeOpportunities that libraries have embraced to leverage their expertise tomeet community needs include:• Providing services to and offering a safe welcoming place for immigrants• Designing and supporting e-government services and community portalsthat broaden access to reliable information• Being a safe place for launching community conversations ontough issues• Maintaining the library’s neutralityWhile the library should have a point of view about issues thatmatter in the community, it should not have an agenda. Conveningcommunity conversations around challenging social issues createsopportunities for exploration and group problem solving. Libraryleaders can bring information and ideas to the table without offeringanswers or taking positions on public policy issues. Ensuringbalanced perspectives among presenters will facilitate a balanced21