Community-led libraries toolkit

Vancouver Public Library (VPL) initiated the Working Together Project in 2004 to develop methods for libraries to work with low-income communities through a community development approach. Funded as a demonstration project by the Office of Learning Technologies of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, funding was available over three years which was extended to four. The long-term funding was invaluable, allowing the participating libraries both to undertake the lengthy process of understanding and implementing community development approaches and to incorporate some of their lessons into their library systems. Unfortunately, program and funding constraints centred the Project on urban communities, despite recognition that rural libraries have similar issues.