Turning Outward Initiative
This statewide program was designed to instill
a more vibrant, outward-looking culture within Pennsylvania public libraries
through workshops, webinars, and monthly coaching sessions. The initiative’s
objective was to make public library services more relevant and significant in
the life of communities through the development of strategies that created or
strengthened community partnerships and relationships.
Over two years (2017-2019), the Harwood Institute
for Public Innovation (Bethesda, MD) worked with teams from 17
competitively-selected libraries to implement Harwood’s “turning outward”
approach.
The Turning Outward initiative libraries were:
At the completion of the 2-year effort, Warren
Library Association (the initiative’s fiscal administrator) created a video that features participating librarians and board members
talking about the project’s results:
Participating libraries also submitted case
studies that will be published later in 2020.
More Information
For questions about the Turning Outward initiative or the Office of Commonwealth Libraries work to strengthen community engagement, email ra-edturningoutward@pa.gov.
IMLS Funding Acknowledgement
This project is made possible by federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the
Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.