Abstract
How can libraries deepen engagement with their communities by working with citizens to address challenges related to healthy living? To explore this question, we conducted a project in conjunction with the New Brunswick Free Public Library (NBFPL) in a mid-sized, highly diverse U.S. city (New Brunswick NJ), and community members from representative diverse ethnic groups. Our project aimed to apply the Kettering Foundation’s 6 democratic practices to help libraries engage with citizens from marginalized populations. More specifically, we intended to enhance library-community relationships through community conversations or “forums” that uncovered issues of common concern around health and well being, with a special emphasis on engaging Latino residents of New Brunswick. Each community conversation, or “forum”, offered a situation or meeting in which people could talk about a problem or matter of public interest in a safe, moderated space. Through this case study approach using community conversations focused on health and well being, we examined the process and outcomes of implementing this collaboration and considered implications of this case example for how public libraries serving diverse populations can grow and sustain meaningful connections with the public and foster civic participation. This project was part of a learning exchange with the Kettering Foundation entitled “Libraries and the Public: Returning to Democratic Roots” that focused on exploring ways that libraries can work with ordinary citizens and communities to address issues of common concern. The exchange also included the Multnomah County (Portland OR), Houston, Cincinnati, and Topeka public libraries. The Kettering Foundation conducts research around the question: “What does it take to make democracy work as it should?”