At the MACo Summer Conference, an expert panel shared best practices for leveraging the library system to build stronger, more connected communities.
In the digital age, libraries are evolving from quiet repositories of books to vibrant community hubs that play a crucial role in fostering engagement, providing essential services, and enhancing service delivery. Through new technology, creative programming, and proactive outreach, libraries have emerged as active, dynamic community connectors.
Maryland State Senator Sarah Elfreth led the conversation and moderated an informative Q&A at the “Libraries as a Community Connector” session at the MACo Summer Conference.
The session highlighted libraries’ transformative role in the digital age, emphasizing how they have evolved from traditional book repositories into vibrant community hubs. These institutions are now critical players in fostering community engagement, delivering essential services, and enhancing service delivery through innovative approaches.
.@SarahForMD Kicks off the “#Libraries as a Community Connector” session at #MACoCon
In this session, an expert panel will share best practices for leveraging the library system to build stronger, more connected communities.#MDpolitics pic.twitter.com/GAFqr7tyr6
— Kevin Kinnally (@KKinnally_MACo) August 16, 2024
Panel speakers included:
- Catherine Hollerbach, Anne Arundel County Public Library COO
- Darcell Graham, CEO, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore City
- Rachel Myers, Library Manager, Discoveries: The Library at the Mall, Anne Arundel County Public Library
- Andrea Berstler, Executive Director, Carroll County Public Library
Catherine Hollerbach, Chief Operating Officer of Anne Arundel County Public Library, spoke about how libraries leverage new technology, creative programming, and proactive outreach to serve as dynamic connectors within their communities.
Darcell Graham, Interim CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore City, highlighted an innovative public-private partnership (P3) redefining the library’s role in the community. This initiative will transform 42 vacant lots in East Baltimore’s Johnston Square into a new Enoch Pratt Free Library branch, mixed-income apartments, a park, and a playing field, revitalizing the area and expanding access to vital resources.
Rachel Myers, Library Manager at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in Anne Arundel County, shared insights into this unique library model. She discussed how placing a library in a shopping mall has opened up new opportunities for community engagement and access to library services. This setting allows the library to reach a broader audience, providing a space where traditional library resources meet the convenience and vibrancy of a retail environment.
Andrea Berstler, Executive Director of Carroll County Public Library, talked about Exploration Commons, an innovative space that fosters creativity, learning, and community interaction. This initiative provides hands-on experiences, from makerspaces to culinary arts, offering community members of all ages the opportunity to explore new skills and interests in a collaborative environment.
The session was on August 16, 2024, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference:
