Public libraries build a community's capacity for economic activity and resiliency, says a new study from the Urban Institute. This report adds to the body of research pointing to a shift in the role of public libraries -- from a passive, recreational reading and research institution to an active economic development agent, addressing such pressing urban issues as literacy, workforce training, small business vitality and community quality of life. The study was commissioned by the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. 

In the area of free-choice-learning, public libraries, museums, and public radio and television experiment with groundbreaking collaborative activities. ULC's research provides a snapshot of these activities and highlights opportunities for expanding partnerships to better meet individual and community learning needs.

Public Libraries as Partners in Youth Development: Lessons and Voices from the Field (by Nicole Yohalem and Karen Pittman, April 2003 – Funded as part of The Wallace Foundation “Public Libraries as Partners in Youth Development" Grant)

Branch libraries can be powerful community building resources, effectively enhancing the well-being and capacities of urban neighborhood residents, associations, non-profits, public institutions and businesses.  That is the central finding of a new study by Northwestern University’s Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute, which reported and analyzed intensive case studies of several branch libraries in Chicago neighborhoods.  Released by the Urban Library Council at its recent Partners for Successful Cities Conference, “The Engaged Library” identifies libraries as critical community assets which strengthen and multiply the community connections which in turn contribute to making neighborhoods healthy, safe and vibrant.

In March 2007, ULC conducted a survey of its members, gathering data on the ways in which urban public libraries are involved with the transition of immigrants into American life. The findings of the survey, augmented with data collected in another 2003 member survey, are summarized in this report. They show that urban public libraries are in the forefront of the effort to make their cities stronger by welcoming and integrating new residents from all over the world.

The Tool Kit includes a print component that will lead you through a number of exercises to help your team develop strong, locally-tailored strategies to serve new Americans.  The accompanying CD includes worksheets that will help you align community assessments, collections, programs and civic engagement strategies to create a welcoming center for our nation’s newest citizens.