The New Orleans Public Library is one of 10 libraries across the country chosen to participate in the Urban Libraries Council’s Civic Makers Lab for Youth (15-18) project, made possible by a generous grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.

The Civic Makers Lab concept is a peer-learning program that equips librarians to serve as civic learning facilitators, and empowers youth and young adults to be active contributors to their communities. The participating libraries will offer hands-on civic learning experiences that complement school education, and partner with community organizations and families to deepen civic impact.

Emily Painton, the New Orleans Public Library’s executive director and city librarian said it’s an honor to be among the cohort of selected libraries.

“We regularly engage with youth about topics such as activism, individualism, volunteerism, and stewardship. We look forward to building out those programs in order to inspire the next generation of thoughtful, compassionate, and participatory community members,” Painton said.

All of the 10 Urban Library Council members selected for the grant have Carnegie libraries in their systems. This includes the two New Orleans Public Library locations still operating out of facilities built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s: Cita Dennis Hubbell Library in Algiers Point, which opened in December 1907, and the Children’s Resource Center Library, which opened in January 1908. Children’s Resource Center is currently closed for renovations, with plans to reopen as a dedicated early literacy center.

The other nine ULC members selected are:

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
• Cleveland Public Library
• Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP)
• The New York Public Library
• The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
• Queens Public Library
• The Salt Lake City Public Library
• San José Public Library
• St. Louis Public Library

“Andrew Carnegie’s investment in free public libraries was rooted in the belief that access to knowledge should be available to everyone,” Kapur said. “The Civic Makers Lab carries a similar spirit forward, giving people hands-on opportunities to practice civic skills and lead change in their own communities, with librarians equipped to guide that work. We’re glad to support the Urban Libraries Council and the libraries in expanding what’s possible.”

The Library Foundation of New Orleans assisted with the grant application and will accept support funds totaling $25,000 on behalf of the Library for this grant. Civic Makers Lab programs will be developed for and hosted at locations across the New Orleans Public Library system and are not limited to our two Carnegie Library locations.