Lead the Way: Libraries at the Heart of Community Engagement

Summer reading programs are a cornerstone of public library services, fostering a love for reading and maintaining community engagement during the warmer months. Arapahoe Libraries, serving over 270,000 residents in the diverse south suburbs of Denver, Colorado, has reimagined our summer reading program to better reflect and serve our changing multicultural community. Our service area includes significant Spanish and Russian-speaking populations, as well as a growing number of immigrants speaking various languages. This session steps you through our journey towards a more inclusive summer reading program, highlighting key initiatives such as offering multilingual materials and community partnerships that can be adapted by other library systems serving diverse communities.