Resources

Libraries Transforming Communities

LTC is an ALA initiative that seeks to strengthen libraries’ roles as core community leaders and change-agents by developing and distributing tools and support for library professionals to “turn outward” toward their communities.

What is “turning outward”?

“Turning outward” — a method created by the non-profit Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities partner — emphasizes a shift in orientation from internal (library-focused) to external (community-focused). This change is achieved through practical steps: taking measures to better understand communities; changing processes and thinking to make your library‘s work more community-focused; being proactive to community issues; and putting community aspirations first.

What is the goal?

LTC will help libraries become more reflective of and connected to their communities and achieve a domino effect of positive results, including stronger relationships with local civic agencies, non-prots, funders and corporations, and greater community investment in civility, collaboration, education, health and well-being. ALA also hopes to shift public discourse away from past themes about libraries in crisis and toward talk of libraries as agents of positive community change.

What resources are available through LTC, and where can I find them?

Visit ala.org/LTC to download free resources, including guides to help your team organize and facilitate community conversations; informational webinars designed for library professionals and led by Harwood Institute educators; worksheets to help you and your staff identify how you approach community engagement; and tools to help you remain engaged and rejuvenated, professionally and personally.

Libraries Transforming Communities is made possible through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Foundation Center

he Foundation Center provides free funding information through more than 470 Funding Information Network locations— libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit resource centers located across the U.S. and several countries. Texas boasts 19 such resource centers covering nearly the entire Lone Star state.

A key initiative of the Foundation Center is to reach under-resourced and underserved populations throughout the United States and in other locations around the globe, who are in need of useful information and training to become successful grantseekers.

Find a center near you
Arlington | Arlington Public Library
Austin | Regional Foundation Library
Beaumont | Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center
Dallas | Dallas Public Library
Denton | University of North Texas
Edinburg | Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center
El Paso | University of Texas at El Paso
Fort Worth | Center for Nonprofit Management
Houston | Houston Public Library
Houston | United Way of Greater Houston
Kingsville | Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Laredo | Texas A&M International University
Longview | Longview Public Library
Lubbock | Community Foundation of West Texas
San Angelo | Tom Green County Public Library
San Antonio | San Antonio Area Foundation
Temple | Temple Public Library
Tyler | United Way of Tyler/Smith County
Victoria | Victoria College/University of Houston
Waco | Waco-McLennan County Library
Wichita Falls | Nonprofit Management Center of Wichita Falls

Edge Initiative

Edge is a groundbreaking, first of its kind management and leadership tool, helping libraries create a path for the continuous growth and development of their public technology services. Edge was created with the vision that all people should have opportunities to enrich and improve their lives through open access to information, communication, and technology services provided by public libraries.

Through an easy to use suite of tools, Edge supports libraries in making strategic decisions and identifying areas for improvement. The Edge Toolkitgives libraries a look into their local data, from operations to partnerships and programming, to assess how their community is using the technology and how best practices can be put into place to align future growth and services with community priorities. It also provides useful resources to package and showcase the data to other community leaders.

If your library is thinking about writing a grant for new technology, completing the assessment is a great place to start. Not only will the Edge assessment help you focus on your areas of greatest need, it will also provide guidance on how to move forward using their training webinars and other resources.

Arlington | Arlington Public Library
Austin | Regional Foundation Library
Beaumont | Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center
Dallas | Dallas Public Library
Denton | University of North Texas
Edinburg | Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center
El Paso | University of Texas at El Paso
Fort Worth | Center for Nonprofit Management
Houston | Houston Public Library
Houston | United Way of Greater Houston
Kingsville | Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Laredo | Texas A&M International University
Longview | Longview Public Library
Lubbock | Community Foundation of West Texas
San Angelo | Tom Green County Public Library
San Antonio | San Antonio Area Foundation
Temple | Temple Public Library
Tyler | United Way of Tyler/Smith County
Victoria | Victoria College/University of Houston
Waco | Waco-McLennan County Library
Wichita Falls | Nonprofit Management Center of Wichita Falls

Library Resources

Our list of organizations and websites represents some of the richest resources in the library sector that provide education, training, professional development, networking, grant information and inspiration. Explore the list and take advantage of this wealth of knowledge and opportunities. This list is by no means complete, so please reach out to offer additions if you feel we have overlooked something valuable.
21st Century Library
This blog offers a collaborative forum for the library community, and anyone else interested in the subject of creating 21st Century libraries and librarians.
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American Library Association
ALA provides association information, news, events, and advocacy resources for members, librarians, and library users.
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Association of Rural and Small Libraries
ARSL strives to create resources and services that address national, state, and local priorities for libraries in rural communities.
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Better World Books
Collection and sales of books online to donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide.
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Edge
A groundbreaking management tool to help libraries assess their technology, communicate its impact, and plan for the future. Libraries are using Edge to strengthen and improve their technology services and engage government and community leaders in meaningful discussion about how technology at the library community goals.
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Geek the Library
Spreading awareness about the value of libraries and the critical funding issues they face.
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Grant Station
Tools for building grant programs.
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GuideStar
Get IRS data, plus more up-to-date information from nonprofits for free.
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The Harwood Institute
Turning outward makes the community and the people the reference point for getting things done.
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IMPACT Survey from Univ of Washington iSchool
The ways U.S. library patrons use computers and the Internet at public libraries, why they use it, and how it impacts their lives.
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Institute of Museum and Library Services
The federal agency tasked with overseeing and supporting museums and libraries through research, policy development and grantmaking.
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OCLC
A global library cooperative, supporting thousands of libraries in making information more accessible and more useful to people around the world. We provide shared technology services, original research and community programs that help libraries meet the ever-evolving needs of their users, institutions and communities.
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Rural LISC
Publishes Rural eNews, a monthly online newsletter announcing funding opportunities, training and new information available on the web. Rural eNews reduces the isolation of those working in rural areas by providing up-to-date information on relevant topics for education and growth. 
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Small Library Management Training (SLM)
TSLAC’s SLM is an ongoing, educational program that provides intensive training for small community library managers and staff in the areas of administration, management, policy development, collection development, reference services and technology planning. Workshops are offered in many locations around the state. 
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TechSoup
TechSoup is a San Francisco based nonprofit that provides IT product donations and a free library technology newsletter to all public libraries in the U.S.
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Texas Book Festival
Celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination.
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Texas Library Association
A professional membership organization to promote, support and improve library services in Texas.
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WebJunction
Builds the knowledge, skills and confidence of library staff to power strong libraries that are the heart of vibrant communities. A program of OCLC Research, WebJunction is free to all libraries to use, regardless of size, type or location.
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Do a thorough assessment with your patrons and other stakeholders to focus your request on the areas of greatest need. Example, what would your teens like to see; what do your crafters need; ask moms and teachers for their thoughts regarding the children’s area, etc.
Betty Roether
Pottsboro Area Public Library | Pottsboro, TX
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