Creating a Nation of Learners

Libraries and Museums: Institutes of Civic Engagement

What is IMLS?

We are the federal voice for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.

IMLS Activities

Grant Programs Research, Evaluation and Statistics, Policy, and

Publications National Initiatives and Partnerships

IMLS Goals

1. Engaging, empowering learning experiences

2. Community anchor institutions

3. Discovery of knowledge and cultural heritage

4. US policies sustain access to knowledge

5. Excellence in public management

Indicators of Civic Engagement

Volunteering and service Political action Connecting to

information and current events

Participation in a group Social connectedness

Civic Engagement: Roles for Libraries and Museums

Civic educator– Raise awareness of civics, civic engagement and civic

responsibility Conversation starter

– Identify challenging community issues and create a forum for developing action strategies

Community bridge– Bring diverse people and organizations with different

perspectives together to build stronger communities Visionary

– Lead efforts to develop a broad community vision Center for democracy in action

– Assume role of THE place where democracy, civic engagement and public discourse happen

Civic Educator

Draw on experience as community educators to increase civic understanding

Maximize access to information about civic engagement

Create easy to use portals to increase civic awareness

Leverage neutral position to provide unbiased information

Connect with and support other organizations committed to civic engagement

Conversation Starter

Establish public discourse as a priority

Create system for constantly monitoring civic issues

Know community stakeholders and build partnerships to foster dialogue

Engage elected officials in community conversations

Build capacity to facilitate discussions on challenging issues

Be active and visible in community

Community Bridge

Establish building bridges as a priority

Promote role and capacity as a community bridge

Seek out disengaged populations

Create partnerships with organizations that serve disengaged populations

Provide programs that promote and teach cultural awareness

Visionary

Promote importance of community vision as a component of civic engagement

Link existing strategic plans to form a broader community vision

Connect with visioning organization to build capacity

Convene community conversations around visions and share those results

Work with local leaders to provide a more comprehensive vision

Center for Democracy in Action

Develop a strategy that defines programs contributing to community health as a priority

Work with local governments to support its democratic governance efforts

Empower citizens to be community contributors

Be willing to take on controversial issues that are important to communities

Push capacities into communities beyond traditional roles

Urban Library Council: LEADERSHIP BRIEF

Thank you to ULC Check out “Library Priority: Community-Civic

Engagement” http://www.urbanlibraries.org/associations/9

851/files/ULC_Leadership_Brief_II_Full_4Pages.pdf

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