your newsroom at your library

our mission

Libraries have always been more than just places for books.

They are trusted spaces for learning, connection and culture. The Library Newsroom Project builds on this foundation, transforming libraries into collaborative hubs where residents, library staff and journalists work together to share stories, address local challenges and strengthen civic life. This initiative is a partnership-driven effort, involving not only the library and its community but also other institutions that are vital to the neighborhood.

Co-creation is central to the Library Newsroom Project. Residents bring their lived experiences, while libraries provide the structure and support needed to transform those stories into shared resources. By working together to create hyperlocal media platforms—such as community bulletins—this project amplifies voices, encourages collaboration and fills information gaps. These efforts strengthen the relationship between libraries, the communities they serve and local information systems, making the library a true partner in the neighborhood’s growth and resilience.

Education in storytelling, media literacy and civic participation is a cornerstone of the project. Through workshops, residents learn how to document their lives, share their perspectives and engage meaningfully with local issues. By building these skills, the Library Newsroom Project empowers people to tell their stories while creating a deeper understanding of their community’s needs and strengths.

Partnerships with community organizations and local media expand the project’s reach and impact. Collaborating with institutions such as schools, nonprofits and cultural organizations ensures that the newsroom reflects the diversity and priorities of the community. Partnerships with local media serve a dual purpose: they offer local news organizations a valuable listening post, enabling them to better understand the issues that impact the community—something often hindered by limited resources. At the same time, these partnerships create opportunities to bring deeply reported stories back to the community in a tangible and accessible way, addressing the challenge of reaching and resonating with local audiences.

The Library Newsroom Project transforms libraries into dynamic spaces of creativity and action. By bridging the gap between community and information, and by leveraging partnerships and shared knowledge, it creates a replicable model for libraries everywhere to engage their communities in new and meaningful ways.

What we Do

Invite

We create a welcoming and accessible entry point for everyone in the community. Through personal outreach, partnerships with local organizations and inclusive promotional efforts like multilingual flyers and social media, we actively bring residents into the fold. Events such as community dinners and story circles provide safe, engaging spaces for participation. By extending a warm invitation, we build trust, reduce barriers and help residents view the library as a vital hub for connection and shared action.

Listen

We ensure that community voices guide every step of the process. Structured conversations, surveys and informal dialogues help us gather insights into residents’ experiences, challenges and aspirations. Activities like community mapping or story circles uncover untold stories and overlooked needs. Listening strengthens trust and ensures that our work reflects the lived realities of the people we serve, laying the groundwork for meaningful collaboration.

Co-Create

We transform insights into action by collaborating with residents and library staff to design avenues for sharing like hyperlocal bulletins or other programming that address shared challenges. Workshops and brainstorming sessions combine community expertise with library resources to create tools that connect and empower. Co-creation builds ownership and pride, producing tangible outcomes—like a bilingual bulletin—while fostering a culture of collaboration and civic engagement.

Projects

  • Sunset Park Library (Current)

    Building a community newsroom and monthly community bulletin in partnership with residents at Brooklyn Public Library’s Sunset Park branch.

  • Open Newsroom (2019-2021)

    A partnership between THE CITY, a nonprofit newsroom, and Brooklyn Public Library, that created useful information on tenant and unemployment benefits in New York City.

  • Civic Newsroom (2021)

    A partnership between THE CITY, a nonprofit newsroom, and Brooklyn Public Library, that created accessible information on voting and civics to communities with low voter turnout.

Interested in learning more? Want to work with your library or newsroom or community in a different way? Get in touch!

Contact Us