WEBINAR

Community Engagement Matters: Learnings from the Barbershop Books Pilot for Libraries

In this one-hour webinar, originally recorded on July 18, 2024, hear what the Barbershop Books Pilot for Libraries revealed about effective library community engagement practices and review findings from ULC research on this pilot. With the support of the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) partnered with the nonprofit Barbershop Books to pilot an early literacy-focused family and community engagement model throughout 2023 and 2024. Through this pilot program, four library systems identified and recruited local barbershops in their communities, set up and maintained a bookshelf of children’s literature in each shop, and partnered with the barbershops to host community events. The outcomes of the program were significant: the pilot improved access to books for an estimated 15,113 Black and African American males aged 5-9.

Moderator: Shamichael Hallman

Director, Civic Health and Economic Opportunity, Urban Libraries Council

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Shamichael is a social, civic and tech innovator. As a '23 Loeb Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he explored how urban design and planning can make for socially inclusive cities. He has served as the Senior Library Manager with Memphis Public Libraries where he guided the reimagining of the historic Cossitt Library. His 2020 TEDx talk "Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community" garnered international acclaim. In 2021 he co-founded Libraries as Bridges which focuses on evaluating how libraries build social cohesion, promote civic renewal and advance the ideals of a healthy democracy.

DiFranco Barnes

Outreach and Programming Services Coordinator, Cleveland Public Library

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Difranco E. Barnes is a public health professional and library services coordinator in Cleveland, Ohio. A University of Toledo graduate with a Public Health degree, he's pursuing Library Information Science at Kent State. Difranco has worked for Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Transformation Alliance, and Murtis Taylor, specializing in program development, community outreach, and leadership. Currently, he serves as an Outreach Programs and Services Coordinator at Cleveland Public Library, managing projects and fostering community engagement. Committed to continuous learning, Difranco holds certifications in project management and communication, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and community service.

Alvin Irby

Founder and CEO, Barbershop Books

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Alvin Irby is an award-winning early childhood educator, social entrepreneur, TED speaker, comedian, and author. He is Founder and Chief Reading Inspirer at Barbershop Books, a national literacy nonprofit that inspires Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun. His work with Barbershop Books earned him the National Book Foundation’s Innovations in Reading Prize. Irby’s popular TED Talk "How to inspire every child to be a lifelong reader," has been viewed over 1 million times. Irby’s keynotes, professional development, and parent workshops invite educators, librarians, and caregivers to think deeply about and take action to inspire young learners to identify as readers and to read for fun.

Alvin Irby earned a Masters of Science in Childhood Education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education, a Masters of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, and a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Grinnell College.

Meryle Leonard

Assistant Director of Outreach Services, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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Meryle A. Leonard is the Assistant Director of Outreach Services for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. She oversees the Library’s Outreach department, Mobile Library, and systemwide outreach services. In addition to her regular responsibilities, she manages the Library’s annual Community Read program and El día de los niños El Dia de los libros literacy festival Meryle completed the Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute and she is a certified Targeted Selection Interview Trainer, allowing her to certify others in the behavioral interviewing process.

She has also served on numerous community organizations such as Smart Start of Mecklenburg County Advisory Team, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Parent University Curriculum Review Committee and United Way Community Investment Committee.

Brooke Thomas

K-12 School Success Leader, Columbus Metropolitan Library

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I am Brooke Thomas and I am a current resident of Columbus, Ohio. I am a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in English Literature. I additionally have a Masters of Education with a focus on Reading and Literacy Curriculum Building from Ashland University. Currently, I am working on my PhD back at Ohio State University studying Literature for Children and Young Adults. I am hoping to focus on the reading scores of African American children, and its connection to the lack of diverse books in the classroom.

I have worked in and out of the library system since 2014, currently working as the K12 School Success Leader. Previous to that I was the Youth Services Manager for our South High Branch. I currently work to build a bridge between our school systems and the library programming we have.