Episode 62: Public Library Panel

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Hayward Public Library Programs Graduates of Career Online High School Program, 3,000+ backpacks distributed to elementary school students, and adult literacy tutors and learners through the virtual Conversation Circles and computers through Learn to Own program, the Redwood City Public Library, Human Library program, Paint night library take-over and Housing community conversation along with Common Knowledge Programs

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We are not going to unseat the realities facing our communities, but I think libraries have a unique set of sight lines, where these things come together- Susan Stuart Clark

In this episode our featured voices are the Founder and Executive Director of Common Knowledge, Susan Stuart Clark, the Director of Library Services, of the Hayward Public Library Jayanti Addleman and the Library Director of the Redwood City Library Derek Wolfgram.

Welcome to our one-hour special on the importance of public libraries to our communities and how the combination of the covid-19 pandemic and economic meltdown has impacted our libraries. In the process of developing this special episode, we reached out to friend of the show Susan Stuart Clark to help us bring together our wonderfully informative panel discussion and to co-host this special episode.

Susan Stuart Clark

Common Knowledge helps local communities develop their capacity to listen together, learn together and lead together. Susan Stuart Clark founded Common Knowledge to pioneer “community-driven design”, demonstrating how inclusion of diverse stakeholders in civic and community engagement stimulates innovative solutions on the issues that matter most to today’s communities. Susan has almost three decades of experience working in and with cities, counties and regional collaboratives across California to develop breakthrough strategies on health care, housing, transportation, early childhood development, adult literacy and the environment. Common Knowledge partners frequently with public libraries because they are one of the most potent portals into understanding how to address community challenges as well as the place to discover new possibilities and opportunities inside these challenges.

Susan has helped urban, suburban and rural libraries across California enhance their relationships with community partners and new patrons across a wide range of services and programming. Current Common Knowledge projects include Recovering Together that supports libraries in enhancing community response to wildfires and other disasters, with a special focus on mental health. And Susan is helping the California State Library update the nonpartisan Key to Community program which uses an innovative per-to-peer model that increases voting and informed civic participation among underrepresented audiences.

Susan has been a consultant to the Institute for Local Government (ILG) and worked with a wide variety of city and county governments to deepen the outcomes of their community engagement efforts. A standout project with San Mateo County’s Home for All developed an innovative community education and engagement program in nine cities that has received state and national recognition for increasing positive community momentum for housing solutions. Other consulting clients include California Forward, the California League of Women Voters, PayPal, Code for America and a wide array of philanthropic foundations.

Susan’s experience with communications and behavioral research includes serving as Vice President of Planning and New Products at Del Monte Foods and as a Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble. Her expertise in civic engagement was initially developed as an Associate of the Kettering Foundation and as director of the annual Public Policy Institute at U.C. Davis Extension. A certified yoga and meditation teacher and enthusiastic forest bather and mountain hiker, Susan enjoys integrating wisdom about sustainable well-being into community engagement. She is taking a sabbatical in the coming year to work on The Habits of Healthy Communities based on her theory of “integrative democracy.”

Jayanti Addleman

Jayanti Addleman has been the Director of Library Services at Hayward since 2019 and had the privilege for overseeing the opening of a beautiful new 58,000 square foot library in the heart of downtown. Unfortunately, the building had to close 6 months later because of the pandemic, but Jayanti has been able to work with her very innovative team to continue to successfully serve the community, including the very large body of students who used to depend on the 10 library-run Homework Support Centers, during the closure. Jayanti is looking forward to the full resumption of walk-in services as the spread of the virus continues to come under control.

A passionate advocate for literacy, for outreach to undeserved and marginalized communities, and for the power of libraries to transform lives, Jayanti is President of the California Library Association and was previously President of the California County Librarians Association. She feels her 12 years as the County Librarian at the County of Monterey, and prior to that her experience in academic libraries and in private industry, has prepared her for most challenges in the profession. However, she admits that though she had seen libraries through several major disasters including earthquakes, fires, and floods, responding to the wide-reaching and long drawn impact of the pandemic was completely different.

Jayanti has won many awards recognizing her professional and volunteer contributions, including the 2015 Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy, the Monterey County Child Abuse Prevention Council’s Frontline Award, and was also recognized as one of Monterey County’s Outstanding Women. Earlier this year she was named one of the 10 winners of American Library Association’s nationwide “I Love my Librarian” award.

Derek Wolfgram

Since 2014, Derek Wolfgram has been the Director of the Redwood City Public Library, where he gets to spend every day collaborating with tremendous partners from local government, the business community, the nonprofit sector, and local school districts. He also focuses his energy on the Library’s work to support equity, diversity, and inclusion for all people in our community, as well as creating experiences to help people share the joys of literacy and learning. Since earning his Master of Library Science degree from Kent State University in 1996, Derek’s 24-year career in public libraries has included management and administrative roles at Denver Public Library, Butte County Library, and Santa Clara County Library District. Derek is past President and past Treasurer of the California Library Association, and the winner of CLA’s Outstanding Librarian in Support of Literacy award in 2009.

Locally, Derek serves as a member of the Redwood City Chamber Education Committee, a Community Advisory Board Member for the San Mateo County Pride Center, a member of the Welcoming Redwood City Steering Committee for Redwood City Together, and Treasurer for Redwood City International. Derek is a 2016 graduate of the Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber Leadership program. In 2017, he was named “Mr. Sesquicentennial” as part of the Mr. Redwood City pageant. Derek and his wife Robin live in the Roosevelt neighborhood of Redwood City with their dog Izzy, a Whippet / Carolina Dog / Border Collie / Rat Terrier mix who was rescued from Caborca, Sonora, Mexico.

Common Knowledge

Common Knowledge is a team of skilled community and civic engagement practitioners from a mix of disciplines dedicated to culturally competent communications and collaborative process. Our work is done through a mix of carefully selected client projects and grant-funded programs – all contributing to our ability to deliver more inclusive and innovative approaches to community capacity and well-being.

The mission of Common Knowledge is to develop breakthrough civic, community, and employee engagement programs that bring different parts of communities together to jointly define and act on shared goals. We believe that now more than ever we need the experience, insights, and energy that is waiting to be tapped in all segments of our organizations and communities. Inclusive collaboration is the path to collective well being. We put our faith in the power of culturally competent dialogue and community-driven design to discover solutions and uncover talent hidden in plain sight. We adapt the principles of high performing teams to help develop high performing communities.

Hayward Library

The Hayward Public Library is a treasure trove of information, education, and entertainment. Your library card is your all-access pass to a wide range of resources and event programming at both branches of the Hayward Library. Learn how to borrow materials, browse the online catalog and see the exciting programs and events on our calendar.

Our Mission - The Hayward Public Library promotes and celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of the community in all of its services and programs. The Hayward Library is committed to providing materials and services that support each individual’s right to know and that encourage the development of a lifelong interest in reading and learning. The Hayward Library is a popular materials and reference center, actively promoting the use of its diverse collection through the assistance of trained and helpful staff. The Hayward Library serves as an advocate and resource for new readers of all ages.

Redwood City Library

Our mission statement/Nuestra Misión: Redwood City Public Library cultivates community by welcoming all people to experience the shared joys of literacy and learning. La Biblioteca Pública de Redwood City cultiva comunidad dándoles la bienvenida a todas las persona para experimentar las alegrías compartidas de la lectura y el aprendizaje.

Service Priorities 2019-2021
In the second half of 2016, the Library held a series of sixteen community dialogues that included over 200 individuals representing a diverse cross-section of the people of Redwood City and North Fair Oaks. Five common themes emerged from these conversations in the form of community aspirations toward which the Library could contribute in a positive way. Our areas of focus and new service initiatives were developed in service of these aspirations.

Aspiration 1, Inclusion: Our community is welcoming and inclusive, celebrates the diversity of our population, and enjoys a friendly, neighborly community spirit.
Aspiration 2, Equity: Redwood City and North Fair Oaks provide opportunities for community members of all income levels.
Aspiration 3, Awareness: Residents have more awareness of existing programs and services.
Aspiration 4, Safety: Redwood City and North Fair Oaks are safe places for children and families.
Aspiration 5, Education: All Redwood City and North Fair Oaks children have access to quality educational opportunities.

Donation/Volunteer

+ Get engaged in supporting our public libraries. You can participate in Common Knowledge's Recovering Together at Library Recovery programs and find out more about how our Libraries are Key to our Community.

+ Find out more about how to support the City of Hayward Library’s associated programs such as Friends of Hayward Library and volunteer opportunities for teens

+ Find out more about how to support the City of Redwood City Library’s associated nonprofits such as Friends of the Redwood City Public Library and volunteer opportunities

Videos

To find out more about Common Knowledge, Redwood City & Hayward City Libraries Check Out These Videos:

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