Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community

Opportunities for shared experiences among people from different backgrounds are shrinking. Nearly every trend line shows the U.S. in the grips of increased polarization, segregation and social isolation. There is an urgent need to reverse these trends. Libraries, as public assets, have the unique opportunity to bridge socioeconomic divides and rebuild trust. But in order to do so, they must be truly welcoming to all. This talk centers on ways that we as a city might work collaboratively in creating a library that is welcoming to all, and that bridges socioeconomic divides through examples of productive partnerships in Memphis.