[Michlib-l] Building Equity Based Summers - an IMLS initiative

[Lancaster, Cathy (MDE)]

Applications are now open for Building Equity Based Summers IMLS initiative with the Library of Michigan

Michigan is participating in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant-funded national initiative Building Equity Based Summers Through Libraries & Communities (BEBS).  While this is the first year that Michigan is participating, it is the third year of the project.

Public libraries nationwide offer summer programs and services for learning and leisure.  These programs aim to engage youth and adults meaningfully throughout the summer months.  BEBS will empower library staff to weave equity into their summer library programs, and beyond.

The goals of BEBS are:

  *   To provide a shared language of equity.
  *   To provide library staff with the knowledge and confidence to create equitable summer programs and services.
  *   To promote equity across the communities served by their library.

The Library of Michigan will be offering a series of discussions in Spring 2025, in partnership with The Indiana State Library.  Each state is seeking five public libraries to participate.  Each participating library will be represented by a team of 2-3 staff members.

Libraries may send staff from across departments, including administration (directors, assistant directors, etc.), Youth Services and/or Adult Services staff, programming and/or summer library coordinators, and outreach staff.  Special consideration will be given to teams that include at least one administrator or other library changemaker, though many factors will be considered.

BEBS participants will work with the state library Youth Services Consultants from Indiana and Michigan as well as each other to consider summer programs through an equity-based lens, including exploration of how equitable their current programs are, whether their equity goals are being achieved, and what impact summer programs are having on those that need them most.

Each participating library will receive a $500 stipend to support its participation, upon completion of the training series.  This money may be used to support equity work in your library in a variety of ways.

Participation in the BEBS initiative will require of all team members:

  *   Participation in 6 meetings, including one 1-hour orientation, four 2-hour learning and discussion sessions, and one 1.5-hour wrap-up and reflection, with other Indiana and Michigan participants.  All dates and times are listed below*.
  *   Participation in periodic online check-in meetings with other cohort members over the following year (not likely to exceed 2-3 meetings, dates TBD) to idea-share, troubleshoot, support one another, and to discuss equity work with an eye on how they might implement changes to their 2026 summer programs.
  *   Work within your library and community to begin to consider and assess your existing and planned summer programs and services through an equity lens.


*The virtual sessions will run weekly for 6 weeks on Thursday afternoons:
*         February 27 - Orientation - 1:30-2:30pm ET (60 mins)
*         March 6, 13, 20, & 27 - Learning & Discussion sessions - 1:30-3:30 ET (2 hours)
*         April 3 - Wrap-up & Reflection - 1:30-3:00pm ET (90 mins)

If you are interested in being part of this project, all team members from each library must complete this application by close of business on Wednesday, December 4: https://forms.gle/nCMw9bgPviPJ7Vfs8.
Note: Each staff member who wishes to participate should complete the application individually.  Please discuss who wishes to participate at your library before applying, and gain permissions from any supervisors, as necessary.

This is expected to be a competitive process, and not all applicants may be selected.  We are looking for a diverse group of cohort members representing all library and community sizes, various geographic areas, and various demographic community compositions.  Applicants will be notified of selection decisions by Friday, December 20, 2024.

Learn more:
BEBS website: https://equitybasedsummers.org/
BEBS IMLS grant: https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded/re-252358-ols-22
History of the BEBS project: https://equitybasedsummers.org/meet-bebs/history/

Please contact Cathy Lancaster, Youth Services Coordinator at the Library of Michigan, at LancasterC5 at Michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5 at Michigan.gov> with any questions.

This project is made possible with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Cathy Lancaster
Youth Services Coordinator
Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more.
LancasterC5 at michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5 at michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan>
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