How Public Libraries Build Sustainable Communities in the 21st Century

Kaurri C. Williams-Cockfield, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA Bharat Mehra, University of Alabama, USA

Introduction; Kaurri C. Williams-Cockfield and Bharat Mehra

Section One: Theoretical Foundations and Research

Introduction to Section One; Kaurri C. Williams-Cockfield and Bharat Mehra

Chapter 1. “The Library Serves as an Amplifier and Connector in the Communities it Serves”1: Building Bridges to Legal Assistance; Brooke Doyle, Lynn Silipigni Connaway, and Lesley A. Langa

Chapter 2. Sustaining Ourselves, Sustaining Relationships, Sustaining Communities; Noah Lenstra and Christine D’Arpa

Chapter 3. Collective Praxis: Leveraging Local and Heritage-Based Values for Public Librarian Professional Development; Vanessa Irvin

Chapter 4. Community Engagement Through Public Library Social Inclusion: The View and Practice of Librarians in Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Ida Fajar Priyanto, Agung Wibawa, and Siti Indarwati

Chapter 5. Applying ESG to Modern Librarianship: Lessons from the Business World; Samantha Connell and Micaela Porta

Section Two: Libraries Advocating for Social Justice

Introduction to Section Two; Kaurri C. Williams-Cockfield and Bharat Mehra

Chapter 6. Anti-Racism in Practice: The Development of a Black Community Public Library in Canada; Amber Matthews and Pastor Sandie Thomas

Chapter 7. Public Library Pride: A Journey of Small Steps Towards Inclusivity; Debra Trogdon-Livingston

Chapter 8. A Call to Action: Libraries Leaning in for Unhoused LGBTQ+ Youth; Julie Ann Winkelstein, Kevin D. Strowder, and Stephen A. Jackson

Chapter 9. Let’s Learn Together Outside: Families Playing, Building Relationships, and Connecting with their community in Nature; Emily Sedgwick and Wendee Mullikin

Chapter 10. Sustainability, Outdoor Life, and Libraries; Hilde Ljødal and Tordis Holm Kverndokk

Chapter 11. Older Adults, Public Libraries, and Sustainable Development Goals; Nicole K. Dalmer and Meredith Griffin

Section Three: Libraries Mobilizing Climate Change

Introduction to Section Three; Kaurri C. Williams-Cockfield and Bharat Mehra

Chapter 12. Inspiring Climate Action: A Collaborative Effort and a Perfect Partnership; Lynn Blair, Andrea Bugbee, Paula Sharon, and John Meiklejohn

Chapter 13. How Repair Events in Libraries Can Create Socially and Ecologically Compassionate Culture and Resilient Communities; Gabrielle Griffis

Chapter 14. A Small Library Making Big Changes: A Case Study of the Baramsup Library; Yong Ju Jung

Section Four: Libraries Promoting Economic Development

Introduction to Section Four; Kaurri C. Williams-Cockfield and Bharat Mehra

Chapter 15. Public Libraries as Key Knowledge Infrastructure Needed to Empower Communities, Promote Economic Development, and Foster Social Justice; Sarah E. Ryan, Sarah A. Evans, and Suliman Hawamdeh

Chapter 16. Libraries as Public Health Partners in the Opioid Crisis; Kendra Morgan

Chapter 17. Partnering for Social Infrastructure: Investigating the Co-location of a Public Library in an Affordable Housing Building; Kaitlin Wynia Baluk, Ali Solhi, and James Gillett

Section Five: Libraries Nurturing Positive Peace

Introduction to Section Five; Kaurri C. Williams-Cockfield and Bharat Mehra

Chapter 18. Libraries are Sustainability Leaders; Rebekkah Smith Aldrich and Lisa Gangemi Kropp

Chapter 19. Reflecting on Public Library-Social Work Collaboration: Current Approaches and Future Possibilities; Rachel D. Williams and Lydia P. Ogden

Chapter 20. The Intersection of U.S. Public Libraries and Public Health; Suzanne Grossman

Chapter 21. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Dementia-Friendly Communities; Timothy J. Dickey

Chapter 22. With Literacy and Justice for All: Library Programs for Refugees and Newcomers; Claire Dannenbaum