Enhancing Public Library Programs Through a Family Engagement Framework

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When parents are involved in children’s learning, positive outcomes abound. Library programs reach families, but for true family engagement, libraries must reimagine partnerships with families and communities; reach underserved families and help families relate to each other; raise up family voices in library programming; and reinforce actions that support learning. Learn how the PLA’s research-based 5Rs framework (reach out, raise up, reinforce, relate, and reimagine) can apply to your library, and hear practical examples of family engagement programs from the PLA Ideabook: Libraries for  families and libraries nationwide. Move your library into the future through leadership orientation to family engagement, securing resources and  partners, and collaborating with your community to help caregivers better engage in their children’s lifelong learning and education.

Attendees will:
● Understand basic research behind family engagement and how their library can integrate with the movement in education and other community services to better support parents/caregivers.
● Understand the importance of thinking about family engagement as an ongoing process that takes place in a variety of settings.
● Be able to apply the 5Rs framework to guide and organize their work with families.
● Assess core library programming for factors that could lead to better involvement by and with families.

Presented by: Scott Allen, MS, Deputy Director, Public Library Association

At the Public Library Association, Scott works on special initiatives such as family engagement, digital literacy, health literacy, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. He supports the PLA Task Force on Family Engagement and helped produce its two publications, Public Libraries: A Vital Space for Family Engagement and Ideabook: Libraries for Families, as well as the Family Engagement Toolkit for the Libraries Transform public awareness campaign. Previously, Scott held multiple positions at the American Academy of Pediatrics and served as Executive Director of its Illinois Chapter. Scott received his BA in English and linguistics from Northwestern University and his MS in nonprofit management from Spertus College.

Amber Creger, Youth Department Director, Schaumburg (IL) Public Library 

Judy Nelson, Customer Experience Manager, Youth (retired), Pierce County (WA) Library System