Community Connectors Episode 2: How to Build a Maker Space for Your Library
In this 25-minute Episode #2, host John Kerber sits down with David Lee King. David serves as Digital Services Director at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library and author/speaker on blended library services. They unpack how Topeka turned a single 3D-printer pilot into a full multimedia hub. Also more about how the library balanced its digital branch with in-building makerspaces, and used community-led planning as a guide. The full episode goes live on July 18th!
Community Connectors Interview - Lenah Oltman and John Kerber
Community Connectors Episode 1 — Recap In this 45-minute kickoff episode, host John Kerber sits down with Lenah Oltman, the director who took Reinbeck (IA) Public Library from a modest program lineup to a community engagement engine. The conversation zeroes in on two themes listeners kept asking for: Funding that Fuels Growth Hear how Lenah turned data from a single successful program into a $7.8 K seed grant, then used that win to secure broader city support. Library Marketing That…
5 Tips for Creating a Thriving Community Hub
Community hubs such as libraries, museums, parks, and community centers provide invaluable services to local populations. Whether offering educational resources, public programs, or safe gathering spaces, these hubs serve as vital lifelines for social connection, learning, and enrichment. To sustain and grow a thriving community hub, leaders can focus on four critical areas identified in the Thriving Community Space Framework: Events, People, Data, and Resources. Here are five tips to ensure…