In Dearborn, Michigan, the public library partners with a non-profit organization to bring educational opportunities and information access to recent immigrants to the United States.

According to nominator Patricia ‘Patty’ Podzikowski, Assistant Library Director of Dearborn Public Library, ACCESS “is the largest Arab American human services organization in the nation, serving over 70,000 clients a year with offerings of 120 programs and services.”

A priority for ACCESS is adult education, particularly for recent immigrants. In Dearborn, according to Patty, “ACCESS does phenomenal work and strives to bridge the gap between” recent immigrants and what is available to them in the city, including the resources of the the public library.

The Dearborn Public Library is in the heart of Dearborn, Michigan, and serves a diverse population. According to the 2020 Census, people of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry make up the majority of Dearborn’s population, 54.5%, with some estimating the Arab population to be closer to 70% of the local community. In 2021, Dearborn elected its first Arab American Mayor, Abdullah Hammoud. The city is home to the first and only museum dedicated to the Arab American experience, the Arab American National Museum.

In this context, the library and ACCESS worked together to develop a series of eight library visits for ACCESS participants in the Fall and Winter of 2023. In these sessions, adults in ACCESS classes came to the libraries, with transportation coordinated by ACCESS, “and we provided a translator who helped convey the message about our library system to those who are learning the language,” wrote Patty.

During the library sessions, adults learned all about the library, received library cards and were able to access library material, some of which helped strengthen English language literacy skills and some of which was available in their native language.

Through this partnership, 317 adults came to the library, resulting in 138 new library accounts. Those participating improved their language skills through word games, conversational groups, and writing activities, and also had the opportunity to engage in creative activities such as jewelry making.

In addition, ACCESS students now have access to the library’s expansive international language section, including its vast amount of material in the Arabic language. Many students were appreciative of the fact that the library had material in their native language, and took home items for themselves and their family members. Many students mentioned that as parents, they appreciated the fact that they were able to take home material to share with their children, reinforcing the idea that parents are the very first teachers of small children.

Anisa Sahoubah, Director of Youth and Education at ACCESS, said that, “We are working hard to break generational illiteracy and low literacy by exposing parents and caregivers to the library. In turn, these students will expose it to their children and those they care for.”

Patty added that “The other types of items that these students particularly found beneficial were the bilingual books that are available at the library. These books allow them to read and learn in their own language, and a different language simultaneously, giving them a boost of self-confidence.”

Reflecting on the outcomes of the partnership, Patty noted that even when participants and library staff were unable to communicate fully due to a language barrier, “we were able to ascertain the delight they had with their visits to our libraries. Happiness is a universal language and we could tell by the smiles on their faces how happy they were to be included at our libraries.”

Patty reflected that “I was thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the students into the library, showing them how to use our services and making sure that they were aware of all that the library offers them. It was very gratifying to see the students learn more about their greater community, while introducing them to the library. We certainly look forward to working with ACCESS more in the future.”

Patty concluded that this partnership is “not the first time that the Dearborn Public Library and ACCESS have collaborated, and it will not be the last because we found this partnership to be so successful.”

In Park City, Utah, a non-profit and the public library team up to expand access to the performing arts, leading to a permanent transformation of the library’s auditorium.

Park City lies east of Salt Lake City in the western state of Utah, and has a population of 8,396. The city has a booming tourism economy, but also struggles to have affordable, enriching opportunities for local residents. In a letter nominating non-profit organization BalletNEXT for this award, Beca Lael, Community Engagement Librarian at Park City Library, described how a partnership originally focused on bringing live ballet performances to the library has expanded to create opportunities for local residents to learn about and to experience ballet and the performing arts.

“While Park City is known as a resort town, the library sees and values our wide range of socio-economic families, who may not have the means to experience ballet,” Lael said. “Park City has a vibrant Latino and Spanish-speaking community,” and the partnership has endeavored to bring bilingual and Spanish-language resources into the community.  The partnership has even led to the library receiving a $95,000 grant to make its auditorium even more accessible for these types of performances and events.

Lael said the partnership started “When Michele Wiles, former principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and one of New York’s most acclaimed dancers, moved to Park City, Utah, she found inspiration upon entering the Park City Library.”

“Not only did the library bring the community together to support people of all ages, but it also had a resource that spoke to Michele – an underutilized stage in its historic Santy Auditorium,” Lael said. “This classic stage had the potential to be the ideal setting for her dance company, BalletNEXT, to bring live ballet performances with forward-focused choreography, world-class performers, and live music to the Park City community. Michelle reached out to the Park City Library Director, Adriane Herrick Juarez, who quickly saw Michelle’s vision, and a partnership was born.”

Juarez said that, “In our community, bringing live ballet to the Library stage meant many people would experience live dance for the first time. Since the partnership’s inception, BalletNEXT has performed Gizelle, Swan Lake, the Nutcracker’s Greatest Hits, Sleeping Beauty, Mixed Repertory, and more. It’s a delight to see the eyes of the audience light up at the sight of high-caliber performances they never would have experienced otherwise.”

Michelle from BalletNEXT is also passionate about using the Library theatre for community-oriented ballet to make the art of ballet accessible to all in the community. Through the partnership, the library is able to give away more than “200+ free tickets to each ballet performance,” according to Lael.

In general, ballet performances at the Library are considered immersive, meaning, according to Lael, that “the audience is able to learn about either the performance or the art of ballet.” Each performance has a Q & A with Michelle and her dance company. Twice a year, Works in Process are performed, where the audience witnesses how the ballerinas are coached in their choreography, workshopping the upcoming pieces. The audience sees how the ballet company goes from concept to choreography to the stage.

Engaging youth, families, and diverse community members at the library

Lael added that “As a mom, Michelle knew the importance of engaging with the next generation through art and dance.” In addition to staging performances at the library, BalletNEXT collaborates with storytime librarians who during the performances narrate what is happening as a way to engage a younger audience.

Lael describes how this works: “Children are invited to sit on the floor, closer to the stage — similar to storytimes — to listen to the narration” and during set changes they read snippets of books (like the Nutcracker) together.

The partnership became even deeper during the staging of “Best of Swan Lake,” when Lael recalled how youth with no experience in dance who were inspired to be on the stage after witnessing the performances, were “invited to become young swans in the last performance.” Twelve library patrons took a series of free dance lessons and were able to perform on stage.

Lael said that this pilot “will grow and expand. A summer program is in the works for summer 2025.” Enriching programs like these are essential in Park City, where, Lael points out, “childcare in general is in such a high demand and children’s activities are very limited compared to the number of children who need them. This partnership will boost the community’s desire to support the need for engaging summer activities.”

In terms of engaging the Latino and Spanish-speaking community, Lael said that “BalletNEXT and the Library partnered to provide an English/Spanish bilingual performance of Don Quiote, which was well received by the community.” BalletNEXT has also hosted international ballerinas, and in September and October 2024, the partners plan to have ballerinas from Spain and Venezuela visit Spanish and bilingual storytimes to engage the young Latino community in the art form.

Transforming infrastructure

To support this wide-ranging partnership, “Michelle Wiles and BalletNEXT provided lights and dance flooring for the stage – and paid to bring in renowned dancers and musicians to delight audiences, raising funds and seeking grants to make it happen.”

Because of the reinvigoration of the stage, the Library successfully applied for a local Restaurant Tax Grant and received $95,000 to make upgrades that will bring even more events to the Santy Auditorium.

Reflecting on this success, Becca Lael concluded that “We will be getting new power, lights, backdrops, and amenities that will make even more events possible. You never know what is possible when you put your heads together and dream big. Through this partnership, thanks to BalletNEXT, we’ve had so many kids say they want to dance, perform, and be at the Library. It’s been a great experience in every way. And now we’re growing even more.”

Edmonton is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. As of the 2021 Census, 87,600 (or 6.27%) of Metro Edmonton are Indigenous people of Canada. In this context, Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre (EASC) is a Registered Charity (non-profit organization) whose goal is to serve as a gathering place for Edmonton Aboriginal Elders and seniors that welcomes everyone and provides programs and services desired by the membership. Along with providing a meeting and gathering place for activities, the centre offers a variety of programs and services designed to enhance quality of life.

In nominating EASC for this award, Kate Charuk, Community Librarian at Edmonton Public Library (EPL), described how over the years EASC and EPL have worked together on a variety of initiatives, including a multicultural cooking program series and the creation of a digital public space to share and celebrate Indigenous content online.

Sharing Food and Stories at a Multicultural Table

EASC is currently partnering with EPL on a kitchen collaboration in which EASC seniors come to the library to spend time with other community members in EPL’s new instructional Kitchen space. The program is called “Sharing Food and Stories at a Multicultural Table” and the objective of the classes are for participants to “share culture, build social and intergenerational connections, learn nutrition information, new culinary skills, and increase their food security by participating in a low-barrier and accessible cooking class together at EPL’s Kitchen,” said Charuk.

Here’s how the partnership works: EPL provides free use of the room, the kitchen equipment, and the expert mentorship of EPL Kitchen Coordinator, Chef Zofia Trebaczkiewicz. EASC provides this programming free to their members. EASC covers the cost of ingredients, and offers free transportation to the library for those who need it. EASC staff also work hard to plan each class in collaboration with Chef Trebaczkiewicz. EASC staff choose recipes based on member feedback, source groceries and culturally significant ingredients, promote the program to their membership and facilitate the cooking instruction during the class.

Overcoming obstacles on the way to partnership

Charuk shared that “The road to hosting these classes has been a bumpy one, due to circumstances beyond the organizers’ control, and EASC deserves credit for their flexibility and their commitment to their partnership with the Library.”

She added that “From the onset, the classes were designed as a collaboration between three parties – EASC, EPL, and a third organization that works directly to end poverty. Regretfully, after over a year of planning, this third organization had to withdraw from the partnership due to difficulties their organization was facing with cuts to funding and other organizational stressors.”

Charuk notes that this “situation is sadly common for several non-profit organizations in Edmonton at this time.” Despite this new uncertainty, EASC expressed a desire to keep working with the library, to explore new community partnerships for the future, and to take on greater responsibilities as sole community partner until a new partnership was formed.

“The Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre is a dream to work with” says Kate Charuk, EPL Community Librarian. “Their staff are thoughtful and committed, dealing positively with organizational snags and going above and beyond to enable their members to participate meaningfully in the program. The seniors and Elders they bring to the program are such an inspiration – they are eager to get stuck in and are very kind to share of themselves as well as their cultural knowledge and experiences. It is a beautiful thing to see people sharing across cultures and generations.”

Voices of the Land: A digital public space to celebrate Indigenous culture online

The kitchen partnership is simply the latest in a string of successful partnerships between EPL and EASC. Another significant example is EASC’s participation in Voices of the Land, a groundbreaking library project to launch a digital public space that supports communities to create, share, discover, and celebrate Indigenous content online.

Voices of the Land is an Alberta expansion on Voices of Amiskwaciy, which was developed by EPL in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous communities and individuals in Edmonton. For example, Martha Everatt, a 92 year old Metis woman and EASC member, worked with EASC and EPL staff to contribute her story to the project in a recording that shares her childhood memories of growing up on a trap line near the Athabasca River.

Charuk concludes that over the years and in the present “The Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre’s staff and members continue to be an exceptional partner to the Edmonton Public Library – contributing wisdom, experience and kindness to our library for the benefit of the entire community.”

The High Point Public Library’s outreach vehicle next to the Growdega, Growing High Point’s Mobile Market.

In High Point, North Carolina, the public library and a non-profit organization share infrastructure to increase access to food, literacy, and learning across the community.

Karen Idol, outreach coordinator at High Point Public Library, nominated Growing High Point for this award. She said she has worked with Growing High Point since the fall of 2021, when she began working at the library.

Idol noted that Growing High Point’s mission is “to transform under-resourced neighborhoods through community engagement, empowerment, and entrepreneurship,” which aligns to the library’s strategic mission of “developing appropriate ways to serve underserved populations.”

The partnership with Growing High Point was already in place when Idol joined the staff, and her job was to further “our partnership with Growing High Point to include bookmobile service at the community locations served by their mobile farmers market.”

Growing High Point’s mobile market is called Growdega, and in fact the Growdega is the former library bookmobile!

“Growdega was conceived to provide another source of fresh, healthy, affordable produce to communities that are considered food deserts,” explains Growing High Point’s executive director Jodi Sarver. A “food desert” is a location that is more than a safe walking distance (about one mile) from a grocery store. The library donated its old book mobile to the non-profit to enable them to start this Growdega service.

Growdega takes produce from the urban farms maintained by Growing High Point into community areas that face food insecurity. Growdega provides fresh produce at a discount to those who receive SNAP benefits.

Idol said the library started joining forces with the Growdega “to provide books and crafts to the children as well as provide library cards and information about library programs and services.” She added that the library also partners with other agencies to bring additional resources to the Growdega’s stops.

Power of Produce, on the road

A year into working together on this initiative, Growing High Point and the library began offering mobile version of the Power of Produce club, which had been successfully offered on-site at the High Point’s main Farmers Market.

The Power of Produce (or PoP) club provides children the opportunity to choose their own fresh produce: Each week they receive 3 tokens worth $1 each that they can then use at the farmer’s market.

Idol said “The PoP club has been a big hit with the children. Prior to the start of the PoP program, the kids expressed interest in getting produce from the Growdega, but often didn’t have their own money. The mobile PoP club helped meet this community need by removing this financial barrier.”

“Parents love the PoP club. They say that it encourages their kids to try new things, that it allows their kids to appreciate farmers through their shopping interactions, and that through shopping kids learn about financial literacy,” added Idol. “Growing High Point helps share about what the library is doing in the community, and encourages kids to come visit the bookmobile for free books and to sign up for the club.”

The Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library in Black River receives an OPEN DOORS designation from Encompass Recreation. What does that mean? The Black River Library is an organization that commits to being welcoming + accepting of those with higher support needs.

The North Country Library System serves 65 public libraries across four counties in largely rural upstate New York. Library staff from across the system nominated Kylie Schell for this Award. Through this partnership, rural libraries have been able to increase services for children with underserved needs, while Schell has been able to find new ways to engage the communities she seeks to serve. In addition, the partnership has helped small and rural libraries communicate to the public that they have “open doors” for everyone.

In 2022, Kylie Schell launched Encompass Recreation to make inclusive recreation possible for children with higher support needs. The organization’s programming has included everything from inclusive swim lessons to supported basketball tournaments to a permanent sensory trail in a local wildlife preservation area. Activities are designed to ensure that all participants are safe, and everyone can have fun participating with an appropriate level of support – whether that means having therapy animals and a sensory space available, all the way up to having one on one peer or adult partners to help kids with greater support needs participate fully. The organization has experienced exponential growth in the few short years it’s been established.

According to the nomination letters, “Encompass partnered with libraries since 2022.” As it expanded, Encompass needed adaptable, public, and safe spaces to hold some of its events, and North Country Library System members “immediately found that Encompass’s expertise and facilitation enabled small, rural libraries to host programming for an entirely new population.”

When Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library in Black River hosted a LEGO club with Encompass, the library saw an influx of new families who went on to register for library cards. Any library with space, accessibility and a willingness to learn how to serve these families was able to partner with Encompass to host a LEGO club, without having to purchase the toys or find volunteers – both significant challenges to single-staff libraries.

Not only has Encompass Recreation helped libraries in thee region improve their services and increase their programming, Encompass has also been wonderful cheerleaders for libraries. Nearly every one of their Facebook posts mentions or promotes libraries in some way, and they include the libraries in events whenever possible.

Katie St. Laurent, Youth Services & Outreach Consultant for the system, notes that “Partnering with them has greatly elevated the profile of the specific libraries who participate in programs as well as of libraries in general as welcoming public spaces for inclusive recreation.”

Open Door Designations

After the success of those LEGO clubs, Encompass has worked with libraries to host additional programs, including Inclusive Art Clubs and Sensory Santa and Easter Bunny events. Encompass has also developed an “Open Doors” Designation where they certify organizations that have certain support and staff training in place to ensure a welcoming environment for people with additional support needs.

Katie St. Laurent of North Country Library System said “Many of our libraries have taken the necessary steps to earn this designation, recognizing how important it is to meet the accessibility, sensory and behavioral needs of all patrons.”

Laura Orvis, the Library Director of Hawn Memorial Library in Clayton, New York, said “Kylie has done so much to bring awareness and tolerance to local communities for the disabled. Hawn Memorial Library was granted her ‘Open Doors’ recognition. As an autism mom myself, it is so great to see that someone is working to build events where we can be involved, feel welcome, and not expected to be anything other than the ‘real us.'”

Another library in the North Country, Flower Library, “worked with Encompass Recreation over the winter of 2023-2024 to join the Open Doors family. While the weather and illness conspired against us, we persevered and became a part of this vibrant community. This process involved a small interview with an Encompass Rec representative, and resulted in a new sensory kit for our Children’s Room and a sticker to display on our side door. The Open Doors decal reminds library users that: there is a policy and expectation that our staff is tolerant and accepting of those with differing support needs, and that this location is making a public statement that they welcome – those of all abilities – increased movement and noise is allowed, and sensory kits are available.”

These Open Doors designations “will help patrons (both cardholders and non-cardholders alike!) recognize our commitment to including all members of the community. Kylie Schell made this level of inclusivity and the Open Doors family a reality. By establishing Encompass Rec in the North Country, she brought together a group of people in a way that didn’t seem possible before. Kylie’s (and Encompass Rec’s) presence and support immediately gives our message of inclusivity the ultimate boost. Our library community is stronger because she is in it, and we’re very grateful for her!”

This nomination was provided by the North Country Library System and its members, including Hawn Memorial Library, Flower Memorial Library, Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library, Cape Vincent Community Library, Hawn Memorial Library, Lowville Free Library, Henderson Free Library, Lyme Free Library, Evans Mills Public Library, Harrisville Library, and East Hounsfield Free Library.

CBC News reports on partnership between Leo Nupolu Johnson and Hamilton Public Library focused on creating a learning center in Liberia.

Paul Takala of Hamilton Public Library (HPL), Ontario, wrote that “Leo Nupolu Johnson is a Liberian immigrant to Canada. When Leo walked into the Hamilton Public Library for the first time, he was speechless in the face of the many offerings of the library. He made a pledge to find a way to bring these types of resource to Liberia.” Leo Nupolu Johnson was then instrumental in creating the first public library in Liberia to emerge after the country’s civil wars in the 1990s. Throughout that process, the Hamilton Public Library has been an eager and enthusiastic partner.

To work towards the creation of the multi-complex Liberian Learning Centre, which includes a library, a space for start-ups and events, and a recreation centre, Leo founded a non-profit organization, Empowerment Squared. The Learning Centre is now nearing completion in Paynesville, Liberia, a community of 250,000 in a region where educational resources are scarce.

Through Empowerment Squared, Leo was able to find partners and supporters, including the Hamilton Public Library.

Leo’s partnership with the library involves HPL staff working as mentors to the newly hired Liberian Learning Centre staff. This means supporting Liberian staff through in-person experiential learning internships in Hamilton — with support from the local university & college libraries at McMaster University & Mohawk College — as well as ongoing support and mentorship between HPL and the Liberian Learning Centre as part of an ongoing mutual relationship.

HPL’s Director of Collections & Program Development Cindy Poggiaroni describes being “continually inspired by Leo Nupolu Johnson’s unwavering dedication and vision for the Liberian Learning Centre in Paynesville, Liberia.”

HPL has also introduced the Liberian Learning Centre and Empowerment Squared staff to the team at Internet Archive Canada. According to Takala, “this connection will enable the Liberian Learning Centre to provide digital books” to patrons.

In addition, Internet Archive Canada and the Hamilton Public Library are “looking for ways to preserve Liberian literature and culture through digitization of books and materials scattered during the civil war,” said Takala. “Leo is leading the process as well as working with the refugee & immigrant community to identify books and materials that are at risk of being lost forever.”

Takala wrote that “Leo’s dedication and passion for learning is a testament to his belief in the power of education and local empowerment. He is not only building resources and infrastructure but has also instilled a sense of ownership and pride within the community. His efforts in creating a space for the community to learn, develop and grow are paving the way for future generations to thrive.”

At a recent event, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (the then-President of Liberia) said of Leo, “I can see how Leo is serving his society that has hosted him in Canada, that has afforded him to follow his dream and brought him the character to help him remember his roots and give back.”

The Hamilton Rotary Club describes the sister city relationship between Hamilton and Paynesville as follows: “Our bond with Paynesville City shines brightly, crafted on the foundation of robust, local collaborations championed by Empowerment Squared. Spearheaded by Hamilton’s own Rotarians, Leo Johnson and Paul Takala [of HPL], this partnership has birthed the Liberian Learning Center, a beacon of hope and education in Paynesville. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration, drawing on the strengths of Hamilton institutions such as the Hamilton Public Library, McMaster University, and McCallum Sather Architects, with the Rotary Club of Hamilton playing a pivotal role.”

As part of a multi-faceted partnership, Montclair Public Library and Partners for Health Foundation hosted Matthew Desmond, author of Poverty, By America, for a community conversation.

In Montclair, New Jersey, the Public Library has worked with Partners for Health Foundation on multiple initiatives over the last seven years, including an award-winner summer lunch program, a pilot social worker at the library endeavor, and a community big read focused on Matthew Desmond’s book “Poverty, by America.”

Kelly Ziek of Montclair Public Library wrote that the library’s main branch is located within an area where a significant population registers as low to moderate income. This partnership has enabled the library to increase services and support for this vulnerable population.

Summer lunch partnership

Over the years Partners for Health Foundation (PFH) has worked with Montclair Public Library to fund, support, and help organize a number of health-related programs with the library, with one of the first and largest being a summer feeding program for youth, which began around 2017.

PFH support enabled the library to hire staff who organized and served the lunches donated by a third organization, Toni’s Kitchen. This summer lunch program feeds children who did not have access to the free and reduced lunch program due the summer break from school.

In 2018, the New Jersey Library Association awarded Partners for Health Foundation a Library Service Award for their role in this initiative. The Award press release stated that “The partnership with the Montclair Public Library, Toni’s Kitchen and the Foundation provides a model for keeping low-income children engaged, healthy and learning throughout the summer months.”

Anne Mernin, Executive Director of Toni’s Kitchen, said “It’s so exciting to see Partners for Health recognized in this way. This partnership with the Montclair Public Library, Toni’s Kitchen and the Foundation provides a model for keeping low-income children engaged, healthy and learning throughout the summer months.”

Social Work Partnership

More recently, during 2023 and 2024, “MPL and PFH have found new ways to work together to address various issues facing our most vulnerable patrons in this post-pandemic era,” said Ziek. “Post-pandemic mental health challenges, rising inflation costs, and an influx of new immigrants have hit this community hard and created a need for new library services. Patrons are asking specific and personal questions regarding health care, government benefits, finding employment, affordable housing, and more. MPL staff have noticed an increase in untreated post psychological stress from grief, shock, isolation, and uncertainty during quarantine. Unhoused individuals and those suffering from mental illness visit the library daily now as a safe haven. MPL staff have taken on additional tasks well beyond lending out books and running programs to serve these patrons.”

Ziek said that in 2023 PFH staff listened to MPL’s challenges and granted the library $100,000 to hire a part-time professional social worker for two years. Specifically, this funding is being used towards the salary of a new, public-facing staff member responsible for a range of services including consulting and assisting patrons, training staff on how to approach vulnerable individuals, developing policy and programs addressing equity and inclusion, and overseeing the Montclair State University Social Work and Child Advocacy intern partnership.

Discussing the partnership, Selwa Shamy, Assistant Director at MPL, said “PFH followed a detailed process with multiple interviews in order to assemble a fuller understanding of the community that specifically seeks out the library for services. From their findings, they awarded more money for the grant than was requested to expand hours and hire a highly qualified professional.”

Ziek said that the hope is that through this partnership the public library “will grow to become an integral resource that links with area social service agencies to address the overall health and wellness needs of our most at-risk patrons as a free public service to our community.”

Community big read on understanding poverty

As strategic partners now working in unison, MPL and PFH continue to find innovate ways to work together. A new project in 2024 focuses on raising awareness of poverty, its effect on the brain, and how Montclair can further help address some of the challenges that this underserved population faces. On Thursday, September 12th at 7 p.m, Pulitzer Prize–winning author and Princeton professor of sociology Matthew Desmond, discussed his book “Poverty, by America” with New York Times journalist Andrea Elliott (“Invisible Child”) as part of MPL’s Open Book / Open Mind program.

In this initiative, Partners for Health Foundation was an active and engaged co-sponsor of this program, taking a three-prong approach to their involvement:

• First, they worked with MPL to reach out to regional book clubs to gauge interest in this book and its subject. PFH then paid for over 100 copies of the book.
• Second, PFH planned a pre-event open meeting to discuss the challenges of local unhoused individuals to help identify next steps in relieving this crisis.
• And lastly, PFH promoted all of this to their own list of constituents through their own events and digital media.

According to Ziek, this is how PFH has consistently operated in their community: “Partners for Health Foundation actively seeks to learn what the challenges are within its region in order to advance health equity through both advocacy and grantmaking. Its mission is to support local organizations, systems change and policies that spark change for the better. Together, we are working towards a healthier community for all.”

Through an innovative partnership between a nature refuge and a public library, urban youth got connected to nature at a library branch, and library staff went to the refuge to co-lead “Storytime, Hike, and Campfire with a Ranger” programs that brought the library out into the community. The partners have also worked together to use co-design principles to engage more residents in this natural space.

Lynette DelPrete (Library Associate) and Darnice Jasper (Branch Manager) of the Anne Arundel County Public Library’s Maryland City at Russett branch describe how in the midst of their urban community there is an often overlooked public space: The Patuxent Research Refuge, which, according to its website “offers 13,000 acres of tranquil forest, meadow and wetlands amid a densely populated urban area.”

A partnership between the library and refuge started when library staff reached out to them in 2020, and, according to the nomination “the small but mighty staff of the Refuge jumped in with both feet.”

The nomination letter states that, “four years, one pandemic, and sizable federal budget cuts later, the Refuge is still a steadfast partner – saying ‘yes’ or ‘we can make that work’ more often than not. They have sustained a strong relationship and shown a true commitment to serving our shared community.”

Despite being only four miles from the library, “the Refuge was unfamiliar to many residents who either didn’t know it existed or didn’t know it was open to the public,” wrote DelPrete and Jasper.

The partnership began with programming that would bring the Refuge to the library. “This was no easy task for the Rangers because our branch is surrounded by a concrete jungle with very little green space!” said the nomination letter. “The Rangers didn’t hesitate though, and tailored hands-on exploratory programming including animal skull identification, native bee exploration, outdoor bug hunts, outdoor tree identification, and scavenger hunts” to the library branch.

The success of these programs has led the library to offer more hands-on science programs, now offered monthly. And in June 2024, the Refuge partnered with the Summer at Your Library kickoff by hosting an archery station for indoor active fun.

Beyond coming to the library to lead programming, the Refuge has also donated equipment that the branch circulates. Thanks to the Refuge’s donations, the branch now lends adult and child birding kits, and they hope to add fishing poles soon. The kits have had over 60 checkouts since they became available in 2022.

Bringing the community to the refuge

Then in 2024, the Refuge invited the library to start hosting Storytimes at the Refuge. These programs – “Storytime, Hike, and Campfire with a Ranger” have been “some of the most well-attended of any program for any age hosted by us,” said the nomination letter. “Attendees were treated to safe, age-appropriate hikes where they discovered snakes, osprey and other birds, vernal pools, and even got a first-hand look at ticks – MANY of them! Freshly roasted marshmallows and a campfire afterward were the highlights for many!”

According to DelPrete and Jasper, “One of the best outcomes of this partnership has been that it stimulates both organizations to think about creative ways to serve the changing needs of our community. When the Refuge sought community members to help co-design a portion of their property, they asked library staff to connect them with marginalized and underserved communities.”

The partnership between Denver Public Library and The GrowHaus was celebrated by OCLC in its October 14, 2024, newsletter.

In a letter nominating The GrowHaus, a local, community-led nonprofit, Natalie Romano of Denver Public Library (DPL) described how this partnership enabled the library to hand over the reins of a library-led food box program to a trusted community partner.

In 2022, the library started a food box distribution program with funding from Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK), a tax-funded program promoting healthy food and food-based education for Denver’s youth and their caregivers. Very quickly, however, the library realized that to expand and sustain the program, they would need partners.

Romano noted that library staff had “limited expertise in food distribution” and as such Denver Public Library “sought a partner with specialized knowledge in community food access. The GrowHaus emerged as an ideal collaborator, offering deep expertise in food access and distribution.”

The partners started small in 2022 by working to enhance the food box programs at select locations through an initial, limited food box distribution partnership.

Then, in 2023, when the library had the chance to reapply for the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) funding, DPL chose to support The GrowHaus in taking the lead as the primary applicant and grantee, while DPL transitioned into the role of a trusted community partner in a GrowHaus-led initiative.

Since then, “Together, The GrowHaus and DPL co-developed and submitted a collaborative grant proposal to HFDK, prioritizing intentionality, efficiency, and a strong, cooperative partnership,” said Romano. “This collaboration leverages DPL’s role as a trusted community connector and The GrowHaus’ expertise in food delivery, creating a powerful partnership that helps advance food justice in local communities.”

Expanding reach through partnership

Romano wrote that “The GrowHaus should be recognized for its transformative role and leadership in expanding Denver Public Library’s food box program into an organized, cohesive, and community-led model that reinforces the library’s mission to create spaces where all are free to explore and connect. Since joining forces with DPL, The GrowHaus has helped distribute over 30,000 fresh food boxes and provided the equivalent of 633,000 meals to Denver communities across 14 library branches.

The partnership allowed The GrowHaus to dramatically expand its reach, hire additional community members to assemble food boxes from the neighborhoods served, and leverage its credibility to secure additional food access partners. Through the partnership, The GrowHaus doubled the number of individuals served, from 1,600 to over 5,000, and tripled the number of food access points throughout the city from 7 to 21. Additionally, the grant enables the hiring and training of youth assistants to help distribute food at branch libraries in their local communities, offering meaningful youth employment opportunities while reinforcing DPL’s commitment to fostering positive youth development in the neighborhoods it serves.

“This collaboration doesn’t just fight food insecurity; it creates employment opportunities for youth, promotes food justice, and strengthens neighborhoods disproportionately affected by systemic inequities,” said Romano. “By leveraging each organization’s strengths—DPL’s position as a trusted community hub and The GrowHaus’ leadership in sustainable food delivery—this partnership advances the missions of both organizations while ensuring access to nutritious food for thousands of Denver residents.”

Families receiving food boxes continue to emphasize how essential this service is for their well-being. Caregivers with children at home express how the program inspires them to cook together as a family.

One parent shared, “My son and I cook together now, spending more time as a family. The food box has really helped us eat healthier. We are so grateful for this support.”

Another community member said, “The kid-friendly recipes in the box are fantastic; my kids love cooking with me. I even renewed my lease across from the Hampden Branch because it’s such an incredible resource for us—books, programs, food, and more.”

A third participant added, “This program is amazing… Having it at the library is a bonus because we not only receive food but also learn about healthy living and nutrition.”

How the food box partnership operates

The impetus for this partnership emerged during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Romano writes that “In response to the surge in food insecurity during and following the pandemic, the Denver Public Library (DPL) stepped up to meet community needs, leveraging its deep connections in Denver neighborhoods.” When the library initially started the program in response to these needs, the library served as the lead grantee, overseeing the program’s full development and implementation.

Since 2023, according to Romano, “As the lead grantee, The GrowHaus assumes full responsibility for food sourcing, program operations, budgeting, evaluation, and administrative tasks previously managed by the library. Meanwhile, the library leverages its deep connections with local communities, serving as an essential access point through its network of branch locations embedded in neighborhoods throughout the city.” HFDK awarded the partnership a 2.5-year grant of nearly two million dollars to advance the partnership’s community-led food access program.

In the partnership, The GrowHaus is responsible for evaluating the program through a community-led model that involves quarterly listening sessions at rotating food box locations throughout the city, aiming to enhance service delivery at all library branches. The GrowHaus’ community-led approach centers on hiring individuals from the very neighborhoods it serves, ensuring that those who lead the program bring valuable lived experiences to guide its activities. This model ensures that programs are both practical and deeply aligned with the specific needs of the community. The GrowHaus actively engages program participants through surveys and community listening sessions, using their insights to shape both program implementation and long-term vision. Our partnership not only provides families with access to food but also empowers them to take an active role in shaping their local food system, while fostering economic opportunities and building community information-sharing.

DPL staff also share ongoing feedback about the positive impact of the program, reporting that it draws families and youth who come to learn about the library’s other offerings through the food box program, and that the partnership with The GrowHaus enables staff to provide an essential resource to their community while also making connections and building stronger relationships.

Summing it up, Romano said that “DPL is grateful to The GrowHaus for their ongoing support, partnership, collaboration, and trust to deliver this program to families in our community, and we are honored to submit this nomination on their behalf.”

Through a partnership with a local University, a Delaware public library helps increase access to health information, health resources, and health classes.

The University of Delaware Partnership for Healthy Communities’s HEALTH for All Program (H4A) is a collaborative partnership between the University of Delaware with the support of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Laffey McHugh Foundation. According to its website “through mobile services and outreach, HEALTH for All promotes healthy living choices and wellness while providing hands-on experience for undergraduate and graduate students.”

Scott Businsky of Route 9 Library & Innovation Center of New Castle County Libraries in New Castle, Delaware wrote that the library partnership with H4A “began in May 2022,” when H4A was instrumental in assisting the Route 9 Library in organizing a community health fair, which was held on May 6, 2023.

The health fair welcomed 23 health-related organizations and nearly 200 visitors to the library. The success of this health fair is owed to the partnership and leadership of H4A’s Christine Sowinski, program manager, and Heather Milea, nurse practitioner. Learn more in the Let’s Move in Libraries June 2023 newsletter. Additional information can be found in the May 6, 2023 Health Fair report.

Beyond this Health Fair partnership, “H4A has partnered with us to enhance holistic care access, addressing health disparities. Through this reciprocal collaborative partnership, H4A provides a wide range of programming, events, health and wellness initiatives, and access to tailored programming to help us fulfill our missions to support individuals and families in our communities,” said Businsky.

Monthly visits to the library

Following this success, at the Route 9 Library, H4A provides monthly health screenings and educational materials to the patrons and staff, and even primary care visits, as needed. The monthly visits by H4A’s team and their partners to the Route 9 Library is the driving force of this continued partnership.

“Staff and patrons alike are always looking forward to their kindness and compassionate service to our community,” said Businsky. “They regularly receive blood pressure and blood glucose checks, among other services.”

One patron mentioned, “I am always so happy when they’re here. Heather is so kind and explains things so well. I’m such a regular that they have provided me with a free blood pressure cuff!” Efforts to improve health literacy, with a particular focus on access and equity, is a primary goal of the Route 9 Library.”

Bringing students the library

The collaboration deepened to include connections with university students in Fall 2022, when “H4A connected library staff to Dr. Jessica Edwards and her students at the University of Delaware (UD).” During the Fall 2022 semester, “UD students learned about the current health & wellness programs and services that the Route 9 Library was offering, such as a sensory room, social worker in the library, community Narcan training, Library of Things items such as blood pressure cuffs and light therapy lamps, Deterra drug disposal pouches, and much more. Students learned about the library’s efforts in addressing social determinants of health and assisted library staff with creating health literacy documents. These included infographics and brochures.”

“H4A increases workforce development via critical care coordination and hands-on experiences in population health for undergraduate and graduate students, the future workforce in the communities we serve,” said Businsky.

The collaboration continued in the Spring 2024 semester, when Dr. Edwards worked with the library around “a new partnership between Delaware public libraries and the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). Public libraries throughout Delaware will be circulating memory kits for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). Dr. Edwards’ students were asked to create memory kit templates that libraries could potentially use for circulation throughout Delaware public libraries. At the end of the Spring 2024 semester, these templates were presented to library staff. These presentations included student research about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD), a materials list, budget, research about the Route 9 Library, and hands-on examples of their kits. A logo was created by the students with the hopes of adding this to the memory kits’ packaging. Library staff that attended the presentation were overwhelmed by the students’ research and understanding of current library services.”

Summing up the partnership “This collaboration fosters campus-community ties, delivering tailored health programs in our library,” Businsky said. “Biannual surveys, conducted with H4A, identify community needs, guiding impactful initiatives. The program manager engages the University of Delaware community to bring meaningful health and wellness initiatives. The Library gathers feedback from community members receiving H4A services, informing future resource development. Our ongoing partnership between University of Delaware’s HEALTH for All and the Route 9 Library is incredibly impactful and positive.”

In partnership with Wood’s Homes — a mental health centre that provides treatment and support for mental health needs — Calgary Public Library patrons are able to access free mental health and recovery support, health information, and referrals to services through Wellness Desks staffed by mental health professionals.

Heather Robertson, Director of Service Design & Innovation at Calgary Public Library, Alberta, wrote that “By expanding access to mental health supports through a partnership with Wood’s Homes, the Calgary Public Library amplifies the incredible work being done in the social sector and provides even more opportunities to reach more Calgarians” in need of these services.

Calgary Public Library is one of the largest library systems in North America and has provided the community access to information and services for over a century. “We are community connectors, with extensive reach across 21 Library locations touching every section of the city,” said Robertson. “However, public libraries are not the experts in navigating the mental health crisis. The Library’s role is to help reduce barriers to information, resources, and services within the mental health sector and to provide a platform for important conversations. Wood’s Homes is one of many partners of Calgary Public Library, all working with us to provide exceptional service, programs, and opportunities for our community.”

“Mental health touches everyone in our community,” said Robertson. “The more we can work together to build up our resources and provide space for support, the stronger we will be as a city. The Library is firm in our commitment to work with community partners like Wood’s Homes in the social and mental health sectors, to leverage their skills and remove barriers for patrons who are looking to access help. Together, we can create a more accessible and stronger network or resources and supports that Calgarians can rely on.”

The Wellness Desk service model makes help accessible for anyone who needs it. Patrons can speak with crisis counsellors from Wood’s Homes to help find the vital resources, supports, and referrals they need. Robertson says “The response has been outstanding. Over 99 per cent of individuals using the Wellness Desk said they got the help they needed, and over 97 per cent said they had a clear next step.”

Wood’s Homes is a well-established mental health centre that has a mission to help build good mental health and well-being so everyone can thrive in their community. There are currently some capacity issues within the social and mental health sectors, which can result in long wait lists and service fees that impact especially the most vulnerable. In this context, the Wellness Desk provides free, drop-in, and on-demand mental health and addictions support, health information, and referral services.

“The Wellness Desk model reduces stigma and provides access to mental health services for those who may experience barriers, including financial and language barriers,” said Robertson. “With approximately one in four Canadians identifying symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (Canadian Mental Health Association), the need for mental health and addictions support in our community is clear.”

Starting and expanding a partnership

The partnership with Wood’s Homes began in 2020 with the Wellness Desk pilot project designed to meet the increasing needs of our community during an unprecedented mental health crisis: The COVID-19 Pandemic. Early into our partnership, there was a shared understanding of the role of the Wellness Desk in the Library, the importance of increasing access to mental health services in the community, and how crisis counsellors could provide services at the Library.

The Wellness Desk started with one location, but it was clear that more people in Calgary needed access to this service. In February 2024, the Wellness Desk hours at the Central Library expanded from 24 hours a week, spread over four days, to 48 hours spread over seven days. The Wellness Desk is also now in operation at three Library locations: Shawnessy, Crowfoot, and Central Library. In all 2023, close to 500 people accessed the service. From January to July of 2024, there had already been 779 visits and over 449 hours served.

The Wellness Desk currently serves a wide demographic. Patrons seeking help have unique and diverse needs and for 60 per cent of users, their first visit to the Wellness Desk is their first time ever accessing mental health support resources. Recent visits in Summer 2024 included a senior who lost a spouse and was looking for ways to navigate their loss, feel less lonely, and find meaningful connections in their community. Other visits include people seeking addictions support, those who are struggling financially, or people experiencing abuse.

“The expertise of the crisis counsellors at Wood’s Homes has been instrumental in helping individuals find the solutions they are seeking out,” said Robertson.

Keeping an eye on further opportunities focused on youth

While the Wellness Desk has been successful thus far, the library continues to have conversations with Wood’s Homes team members about how the project can expand or be improved.

In partnership with Wood’s Homes and the Inglewood Opportunity Hub, the Library is exploring a pilot project for Fall 2024 that focuses on youth peer support. This pilot project will bring crisis counsellors to Central and Forest Lawn libraries. It will extend Wellness Desk services to the public floors of the Library, creating a visible and approachable presence. Activities will include proactive engagement with youth and other Library patrons through conversations, dynamic risk assessments, and system navigation.

Robertson said, “The strength of our partnership has made this expansion of services possible.”

During Summer 2024, a call for nominations for the second annual I Partner with My Public Library Award received 61 full submissions. The final list of the 11 awardees was made on October 1, 2024, with an online awards ceremony in November.

With such a strong pool of applicants, the process of selecting only 11 awardees was extraordinarily difficult. The final list of awardees was informed by the following criteria:

• Length, depth, and impacts of the collaboration
• Mutuality of the relationship
• Contributions to equity

A team of 30 volunteer reviewers read and reviewed the applications. At the bottom of this page you can read the names of volunteer reviewers.

With such a strong pool of nominations, we also wanted to shine a light on other community collaborators, which to a list of 10 Honorable Mentions.

Who was nominated in 2024?

Nominations came from 34 states, provinces, and territories in two countries (United States and Canada). In 2024, nominations came from: Alberta

Arizona
British Columbia
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Ontario
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Who were the reviewers?

We want to thank the following individuals for volunteering their time to serve as reviewers in 2024.

Alexis Ferguson
Alice Mackey
Ashley N Barrineau
Carrie Thompson
Diane Palmieri
Elizabeth Warren
Fiona Johnson
Jacqueline Campbell
James Hill
Jennifer Park
Jessica Anders
Kali Nagler
Karen Whitestone
Keri Gould
Kerri Sullivan
Lacy Ellinwood
Laura Clark-Hunt
Laurenne Teachout
Mara Whitman
Mary Kapusta
Mary T Howard
Megan Bell
Megan Weis
Miriam Rosen
Miriam Tuliao
Paula Brown
Rhonda Jessup
Robin Hastings

Since 2016, the non-profit organization Let’s Move in Libraries has been a national and international voice advocating for strengthened partnerships between public libraries and others that want our communities to be healthier places for all. Through this work, we have seen that public libraries can do a lot to promote health, but this health promotion work is almost always made possible by community partners and community collaborators. Recognizing a gap around this topic, in 2023 Let’s Move in Libraries launched the annual I Partner with My Public Library Award to begin the process of creating a platform to celebrate and acknowledge the crucial work of community collaborators to the work of public librarianship. This award is open to all partners, not only those focused on health promotion.