Learning that is connected to authentic interests, relationships and community engagement fosters transformative outcomes. Libraries across the United States are adopting connected, outcomes-based, and technology-enhanced practices to support diverse teens and their communities.
Connected learning offers a framework, mindset, and concrete strategies for libraries to build meaningful and impactful relationships and programs with youth and their communities. Libraries that integrate connected learning into their services have a transformative impact on the lives of vulnerable teens, and benefit from greater community engagement. They are able to make progress towards equity goals that go beyond quantitative measures of representation to ensure that teens from historically marginalized groups feel a genuine sense of belonging and connection.
What are the impacts of connected learning through libraries?
The principles of connected learning were just like, so helpful in kind of figuring out the best way to allow these teens to actually build up what this [teen] council is going to be from the ground up.
Community Engagement
These connected learning opportunities have been transformative for our library and service. Community perceptions of the library have greatly improved.
Youth Outcomes
Teen library programs… allow teens to build character, skills, and their network while having access to guidance along the way. This experience will later open new doors.