Staff from the Neuse Regional Libraries, a rural, demographically diverse library system in North Carolina, shared the library’s journey toward developing a more inclusive community on Thursday afternoon during “A Library’s Journey Towards Building a 21st-Century Inclusive Community.â€
Melanie Morgan, Director, began by telling the audience that after the area experienced two devastating hurricanes, inequity in their community was evident. “We needed to build diverse strategic partnerships to address community barriers. We are truly a place with a heart.â€
It started by taking STEM education directly to public housing. The first program, STEM 4 All, came about because of a long-standing collaboration between our library and our local housing authority.†She said each event included a healthy snack, a journaling activity, an engaging STEM activity, homework help, as well as monthly community guest speakers.
As STEM 4 All became more successful, the library branched out to two other libraries in the system and they called that program STEMology. “We integrated current programming with new programming,†said Mervin. Two successes which came about because of the STEM programming was student’s increased confidence in STEM subjects and improved academic performance. “For me, STEM 4 ALL was about reminding these kids how important they are and how bright their futures could be,†said Mervin. “This is how you know you have a successful program, by seeing these kids smile.â€
After STEM, the library moved into further initiatives using virtual reality to provide new cultural experiences that promote empathy and understanding. Sean Moore provided an overview of how virtual reality fits into an inclusion program.
“Through a grant we were able to purchase virtual reality headsets and ultimately provide some Try It! Programs,†said Moore. We used VR to show patrons how to check out Ebooks, provided tech demonstrations, and offered virtual reality experiences including the titles Traveling While Black, Anne Frank House, and Home After War.
“Virtual reality Is generally focused on gaming, but there is much more to it,†said Moore. “Your young ones can put on a headset and learn about museums and dinosaurs or experience what others have gone through,†he said.
The psychosocial aspect of the project also helped to build community connections, said Sarah Sever. She gave tips on how to include a social worker in library and programming. “Our community needs include housing costs, lack of public transportation, technology access, and mental health services. As librarians, we adapt to fitting the needs of our community. It is a great trend to work with a social worker and a beautiful pairing.â€
Sever said that any library close to a college or university with a social work program, has access to a social work intern. In doing research on adding a social worker to the library, she found a LSTA funded toolkit that includes templates, forms, sample job descriptions, and more from Azusa City Library, (CA). “We had our interns do time on the public service desks before they began having one-on-one sessions with patrons. In sessions they tackled topics like mental health, veteran’s benefits, stress management, and LGBTQA+ youth support groups.â€
Challenges in using a social work intern included the initial engagement, time management, experience limitations, and resource availability. “But we had great successes in programming, consultations, establishing partnerships, and long-term project ideas,†she said.
“At this point we asked ourselves, how do we connect with our community as a whole?†said Justin Stout. “Our library began offering a Juneteenth program over a decade ago, but we wanted a larger audience so we began to plan. Staff members created Coming Together, a series of discussions about racial justice and equity. Next staff members met with local community leaders and stakeholders to plan programming which culminated in a new improved Juneteenth event – a festival including music, booths, and tables from local businesses. We had 1,260 attending in 2021, whereas only 50 attended in the past.†â–
