In light of the world’s conflicts, our library went beyond programmatic offerings to address these issues through hosting a durational museum-quality exhibit. XOXO: An Exhibit About Love and Forgiveness, created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, provided a welcoming and safe space in which visitors played while exploring and processing complex facets of emotions. The goals were to support whole-person development, generate memorable moments for families and build strong community bonding.

XOXO served as an oasis within the library where spontaneous play was encouraged as we strategically spread the components throughout the building. Adding to the experience were three community participatory projects to practice empathy, including: 1) sensory-friendly exhibit hours for persons with a sensory processing disorder, 2) a food drive to benefit our local food pantry; and 3) a letter writing project to support Girls Love Mail. We also offered 21 programs tailored to the exhibit theme.

XOXO and related projects engaged 50,000 visitors. Exhibit visitors spent 13 minutes on average, demonstrating significant engagement. Volunteers served approximately 150 hours in the exhibit. Visitors commented:

• "The library is nothing but kindness.”
• “Spreading love and understanding and self-expression. For just kids? I think not. The world needs a little bit more of this (XOXO).”
• “Love being a chaperone today! Love & Forgiveness exhibit ... what an amazing experience for these preschoolers! And adults.”