Building Community-Based Summers
The Office of Library and Information Services is one of six state library agencies to have piloted the IMLS grant-funded initiative Building Community-Based Summers (BCBS). Led by the California Library Association, this project builds on the work of CLA and the California State Library in developing a shared language and a set of tools and resources for library staff to use to build community-centered summer services for youth, families, and communities.
As part of this work, OLIS and participating state library agencies are:
- Engaging in co-design processes to reach a shared understanding and language related to this work.
- Reviewing, discussing, and customizing materials developed as a part of the CLA/CSL project.
- Co-designing training for library staff in pilot states on community and summer services.
- Recruiting public libraries, selected to represent a diversity of communities, to work with on community in summer services planning and implementation.
- Working with selected public library staff and supporting implementation - through coaching, mentoring, and a community of practice - of community-based summer services.
While the grant period ended in June 2025, OLIS continues to support BCBS by offering cohorts and collaborating with other state library agencies.
About BCBS
Initially funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Building Community-Based Summers empowers libraries to create summer services that are designed with the community to ensure systemically marginalized groups engage in library services in new ways.
Learning sessions cover strategies that have brought us the greatest traction in our own community-centered journeys. These sessions represent the learnings of staff from libraries across the United States who came together several times in working sessions to learn from each other’s successes and challenges.
Learning sessions cover four key topics:
- The Whys of Summer
- Letting Go of Tradition
- Connecting with Community Voices
- Summer Services Impact: What Does Success Look Like
BCBS History
Building Communty-Based summers launched in 2020 when 14 libraries from across California came together to better understand and incorporate community-centered practices into summer services for youth, families, and communities.
Through funding from the Institute of Museums and Library Services, California’s work was expanded to six pilot states: CT, ID, MD, OH, RI, and WA. During the 2022-23 pilot year 33 libraries and 85 staff members worked on community-based summers knowledge and skills.
The BCBS project on-boarded MA, MT, NJ, OR, and PA in year two of the project and CO, DE, MI, IN, KY in year three. After year three a total of 16 states have worked with a minimum of 80 libraries across the country in summer community-based work.
How to Participate
Interested public library staff may participate in a current cohort as a team comprised of two to four staff members who are responsible for some aspect of summer services. Each cohort will include teams representing several different public libraries and cohort members will participate in approximately eight virtual learning sessions that cover the four key BCBS topics while allowing time for reflection.
Benefits for BCBS participants:
- Being part of a national initiative impacting summer services nationwide.
- Learning and developing new ideas, resources, and tools with a network of library staff throughout the country.
- Tackling community-centered design with the support of a cohort representing a diversity of libraries and communities.
- Dedicated time for thought, discussion, and reflection.
Public library staff interested in participating in a cohort may contact OLIS Youth Services Coordinator Danielle Margarida at danielle.margarida@olis.ri.gov.