This series responded to our customers’ frequent requests for help with writing projects. The library already does a good job with resume workshops and job-preparedness skills, but we wanted to offer a class about writing more generally to help our customers become more confident writers. We were mindful that the workshops should be geared for a general audience, cover topics with a broad appeal and be accessible for different levels of ability.

The program was a collaboration with a community partner—the University of Memphis Center for Writing and Communication—so our customers had free access to high-quality instruction from people who research, practice and teach in fields such as professional writing, composition studies, rhetoric and creative writing.

The program’s turnout of over 70 diverse audience members clearly indicated to the library a community interest in writing of all different kinds (creative and non-creative) and a hunger for continuing education opportunities. Students from area colleges, working professionals, retirees and aspiring creative writers all attended and indicated on feedback forms that they had grown as writers. Many of the attendees also developed friendships with one another over the course of the series.