Connected learning offers a framework, mindset, and concrete strategies for libraries to build meaningful and impactful relationships and programs with youth and their communities. Libraries that integrate connected learning into their services have a transformative impact on the lives of vulnerable teens, and benefit from greater community engagement. They are also able to make progress towards equity goals that go beyond quantitative measures of representation to ensure that teens from historically marginalized groups feel a genuine sense of belonging and connection.
A report from the Transforming and Scaling Teen Services for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion project.
A report for library staff is also available.
Guided by the connected learning framework, this report dives into challenges and opportunities for public libraries in serving diverse teens in socially and culturally connected ways, including concrete recommendations for public library leaders. Libraries that have stepped up to meet these challenges have not only had a transformative impact on the lives of vulnerable teens, but have also benefited from greater community engagement. They have also made progress towards equity goals that go beyond quantitative measures of representation to ensure that teens from historically marginalized groups feel a genuine sense of belonging and connection.
Published Mon Jul. 15, 2024
By Mega Subramaniam, Linda W. Braun, S. Nisa Asgarali-Hoffman, Keanu Jordan-Stovall, and Christi Kodama
Developed through a participatory design process during the COVID-19 pandemic, this field guide offers practical tools for supporting non-dominant youth and families during a crisis. Most essential is a mindset centered on community and public service.
Published Winter 2021
By Sari Widman and Amanda Wortman
This article discusses the process of evaluating and improving connected learning in libraries through an equity lens, providing accessible strategies that take day-to-day challenges into account.
Published Sept./Oct. 2023