WEBINAR

Welcoming the Community
Inside and Out

Libraries play a vital role in fostering trust and connection within their communities. In this webinar, library leaders share practices and policies that ensure staff are seen as trusted partners both within and beyond the library walls. Participants will learn how to understand and address biases, research community trauma, and identify trust gaps and community needs through active listening. This session will also highlight strategies for planning collaboratively with the community and leveraging community assets to support shared goals.

This one and a half hour webinar is the final in our Creating a Culture of Belonging Webinar Series.

Moderator: Michelle Hamiel

Chief of Programs, Urban Libraries Council

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Michelle strengthens the urban library role in local ecosystems and advances partnerships and programs resulting in systemic change. She is known and respected throughout public libraries for her leadership to diversify the profession, to serve marginalized communities and to increase racial and social equity. Prior to joining ULC, Michelle served as Prince George's County Memorial Library System's chief operating officer and led the mission, vision, innovation and operations of the library's 19 branches and the county detention center.

Shamichael Hallman

Director of Civic Engagement 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. Shamichael is the author of "Meet Me at the Library: A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy," published in 2024.

Latonia Jackson

Manager of Middle and High School Services, Oak Park Public Library

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Latonia Jackson is the Manager of Middle and High School Services at Oak Park Public Library in Illinois. Before joining the library in January 2022, Latonia spent more than 20 years working at Oak Park and River Forest High School, most recently as Outreach Coordinator. She has extensive work and volunteer experience serving teens and their families and is passionate about making a difference in their lives.