CT State Library in Partnership with Libraries Without Borders US, Six Local CT Libraries

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The CT State Library has announced a partnership with Libraries Without Borders US (LWB), the American branch of the global NGO Bibliothèques Sans Frontières that delivers knowledge and information to communities in crisis.

LWB US has worked to assist people experiencing challenges caused by the digital divide, communities living in book deserts, and those who, for various reasons, do not feel comfortable accessing their local libraries.

Through this partnership, the CT State Library and LWB US are working with six public libraries across the state to build trust and grow habits that ultimately help connect new users to resources and services available through their local public library.

The CT State Library and LWB team are working with:

  • The David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village

  • The East Hartford Public Library in East Hartford

  • The Willimantic Public Library in Windham

  • The Norwalk Public Library in Norwalk

  • The West Haven Public Library in West Haven

  • The Otis Library in Norwich

“Libraries have long been more than books and four walls, and with this partnership, we can truly share that message to communities across Connecticut,” said State Librarian Deborah Schander. “Building and sustaining relationships of trust between citizens and their libraries is the key to our collective future, and we are thrilled to be working together with LWB on this initiative.”

 “LWB is all about working with library staff in community outreach, resource sharing, and connected learning, extending beyond the library walls to engage new users in library services,” said Dawn La Valle, Director of the Division of Library Development at the CT State Library. “LWB is a thoughtful and insightful partner to work with this group of rural, suburban, and urban libraries and communities, establishing a future ready practice with training and connections that will feed all those involved long beyond the duration of the project.”

“We are so excited about this partnership, and the work to date has already yielded really interesting results!” said Nina Safane Executive Director for Libraries Without Borders US. “We are identifying existing barriers for accessing library resources in each community and are developing strong relationships that will help build and sustain local solutions to bridge those gaps. This is a real opportunity to extend the reach of the library to communities who would benefit most.”

Later this month, the CT State Library and Libraries Without Borders will hold a partnership launch event to celebrate the collaboration with the selected libraries and the expansion of access to learning and information resources. (The event will be held at the Wickham Memorial Library at 656 Burnside Ave East Hartford, CT on Thursday, June 29 from 5:00-7:00 pm.)

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Connecticut State Library, according to officials.