Share your library's innovations that increase the awareness and importance of the library and its many programs, such as the right to read freely, civic engagement resources, and the library’s overall role as a community hub.

Examples of library projects to highlight in an application include:

• Storytelling and how you communicate the impact of library services and programs in the community to external audiences.
• Partnerships that enhance the library's reach to under-resourced audiences.
• Strategic brand extensions and rebranding initiatives.
• Advocacy or fundraising campaigns.
• Initiatives that build policies and actions around democracy and intellectual freedom in our communities.
• Civic engagement and voter education and/or services.
• Programming to support civility, kindness and communities working together.

Share your library's innovations that increase access to high-quality learning opportunities for all children and adults, such as how the library advances personal and family learning goals and develop literacy in all forms, for all ages.

Examples of library projects to highlight in an application include:

• Education and community engagement partnerships with PK-12 school leaders, school districts and community organizations.
• Summer Learning programs, as well as youth mentorship, internship and leadership initiatives for teens and young adults.
• Trauma-informed programming, caregiver workshops and learning circles.
• Adult education for reading, media, digital, financial and other types of literacy.

Share your library's innovations that address structural racism, systemic and digital inequity and social justice within the library and across the community.

Examples of library projects to highlight in an application include:

• Community engagement initiatives, partnerships and programming regarding systemic racism and social justice.
• Anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion embedded in strategic planning.
• Organizing for anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion outcomes.
• Anti-racist audits of library operations.
• Partnerships to bring high-speed broadband directly to all households to support community-wide digital literacy and access.

Share your library's innovations that help library staff and customers better understand and make informed decisions about personal and public health issues. This can be accomplished through educational programs, social services/partnerships, mental health services, and other holistic wellness programming.

Examples of library projects to highlight in an application include:

• Programming and community engagement partnerships to support customer well-being.
• Mental health resources and support for staff dealing with trauma in the library and/or through lived experience.
• Programs and partnerships to address public health and public safety.

Share your library's innovations that advance the operations, strategy and culture of the system. This can be accomplished through thoughtful decision-making, safety and security strategy, organizational change, leadership trainings, performance management and reporting, impact assessment and all-around process improvements.

Examples of library projects to highlight in an application include:

• Internal/crisis communications systems and tools.
• Staff programming for well-being and professional development.
• Leadership and organization benchmarking and strategic planning.
• Strategic planning informed by data collection and community engagement.
• Data-driven evaluation and impact assessment systems.
• Administration of business practices to create the highest level of efficiency possible within an organization.
• Facility changes to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiencies.

Share your library's innovations that promote equitable economic mobility and opportunity for all local workers, jobseekers, entrepreneurs and business owners.

Examples of library projects to highlight in an application include:

• Entrepreneurship and advanced digital skill-building.
• Professional coaching and certification programs.
• Business challenges and fellowships.
• STEM as a career path.