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
Contact IMLS
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