Public library workers in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana are invited to apply to participate in
Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS), a series of learning and discussion sessions held online. BCBS is designed to help libraries build strategies to work with their communities to provide summer programs and services
that are inclusive of all.
Selected participants will engage with a cohort of library staff to dig deeply into inclusive summer services. Participants will work with the facilitators and each other to consider what impact summer programs are having on those that need them the most.
Each participating library should be represented by a team of at least two staff members. Libraries are encouraged to send staff from across departments and can include Youth Services and/or Adult Services staff, programming coordinators, summer library program
coordinators, outreach staff, and administrators. Participation in the BCBS initiative will require, of all team members:
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Active attendance and participation using cameras, shared whiteboards, and breakout sessions.
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Participation in an introductory orientation before the learning sessions begin.
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Additional work will be required within your library and community to begin to consider and assess your existing and planned summer programs and services through an equity lens. Expect to spend approximately 1-2 hours/week doing this work, in addition to the
virtual sessions.
If you are interested in participating in a virtual BCBS cohort, you have two options to apply for:
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A new Ohio/Michigan/Indiana Tri-state Cohort! This cohort will offer up to 11 sessions (some deep dives, some optional check-ins), with the Youth Services Consultants from Michigan and Ohio, the Adult Services Consultant from Ohio, and each other to consider
what impact summer programs are having on those that need them the most.
To
learn more and apply to the
Tri-State BCBS Cohort, go to :
Tri-State
BCBS Cohort Invitation to Apply.
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The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) sponsors this six-session interactive BCBS discussion series, held over the course of two months this Fall. Selected participants will have the opportunity to engage with a nationwide cohort of library staff
to dig deeply into inclusive summer services.
To
learn more and apply to the
CSLP BCBS Cohort, go to the CSLP
Building
Community Based Summers site.
We recommend that you consider your work schedules and apply to a cohort that fits best, however you are welcome to apply to both, too.
History of BCBS
Questions? Contact any of us:
Katy Hite, Adult Services Consultant, State Library of Ohio
