Public Libraries: Essential to Community Building Like Never Before

The majority of Americans over the age of sixteen say public libraries play a critical role within their communities, with 95% agreeing the materials and resources available at public libraries provide opportunities for everyone to succeed and promote literacy and a love of reading. 94% of these Americans say having a public library improves the quality of life in a community, and 81% say these institutions provide services people would have a hard time finding elsewhere.

The DisruptED podcast is always on the lookout for learning institutions that play an essential role in community building. With that in mind, DistruptED is turning its focus to public libraries for a special series of episodes to gain insight from the pioneers and thought leaders across the great American public libraries.

So, where to start? Perhaps a great place to learn about the innovations libraries bring to a community is the nation’s third-largest public library, the Boston Public Library. Offering a preview of this upcoming episode, DisruptED’s Ron J Stefanski said he sat down for a conversation with the current President of Boston Public Library, David Leonard.

“He’s ascended the ranks from a technology role to running the third largest public library in America,” Stefanski said. “David is someone worth listening to. Why? Because he has a tremendous hand on the pulse of where disruption is taking place in everyday life.”

This upcoming series on public libraries will be available on the DistruptED podcast over the coming weeks.