Community-Centered Libraries: Harnessing the Power of Data to Equitably Serve your Community
Do you find it challenging to determine the needs, priorities, and interests of all of your community members, including those who don’t currently use the library?
Do you design data visualizations (for example, infographics, presentation slides, reports, etc.) and wonder how to apply an equity lens to these creations?
Community-Centered Libraries: Harnessing the Power of Data to Equitably Serve Your Community initiative is an opportunity for California public library workers to gain tools and skills to use data to better serve all members of their community.
Community-Centered Libraries Overview
Community-Centered Libraries is a statewide initiative brought to you by the California State Library and Pacific Library Partnership. Learning opportunities are offered online and in-person and are available at no cost to California public library workers.
Equitable Data Visualization
Gain knowledge and tools to create effective data visualizations that are equitable and inclusive.
Culturally Relevant Needs Assessment
Learn how to conduct a culturally relevant community needs assessment using participatory evaluation methods to identify community members’ needs, priorities, and interests.
PolicyMap
An online mapping platform, PolicyMap is now available to all California public library staff as part of a statewide initiative by the California State Library and the Pacific Library Partnership to support libraries in making equity-based, data-driven decisions for community impact. Guidance for use is available on the platform, and you can view recorded, on-line training especially for California on the PolicyMap page.
For questions about the training opportunities, contact Linda Hofschire, Community-Centered Libraries Project Manager, at linda@ljh-consulting.net. For questions about PolicyMap, contact the State Library at LibraryStatistics@library.ca.gov.
CCL Working Group
Thank you to the California public library workers who volunteered their time, shared their experiences, provided input, and helped build the foundation of Community-Centered Libraries. Their participation in the Statewide Data Initiative has shaped the project and will benefit all California public library workers.
- Avery Campbell, Butte County Library
- Michelle Carreon, Napa County Library
- Kelly Clark, Sacramento Public Library
- Ketzie Diaz, Palos Verdes Library District
- Scott Fretwell, Anaheim Public Library
- Carrie Gehrer, Riverside Public Library
- Elizabeth Gray, Yolo County Library
- Jenny Hanson, San Diego County Library
- Christopher Larsen, Richmond Public Library
- Eun Lee, San Francisco Public Library
- Laurel Moran, San Diego Law Library
- Nicole Pasini, Glendale Library, Arts & Culture
- Jennifer Songster, Long Beach Public Library
- Janet Stone, Glendora Library & Culture Center
- Hillary Theyer, Monterey County Free Libraries
- Jody Thomas, Carpinteria Community Library
- Linda Vera, Crowell Public Library (San Marino)
- Jessica Walker, Oakland Public Library