A Publication of the Public Library Association Public Libraries Online

Magazine Feature

Magazine Feature July/August 2019

Issues That Matter: Forums Build Civic Engagement

Sno-Isle Libraries (SIL) debuted Issues That Matter forums in 2010
as a series of community discussions and debates. These forums convene
residents from communities across the entire two-county library
service area (Snohomish County and Island County, WA) to engage in
important community conversations on relevant, high-profile topics.
Through these events, the library extends its neutral stance to enable
civil, open discussion on controversial topics with the guidance of
several panelists and a program moderator. Sessions are recorded
and streamed live on Facebook. The forums connect citizens in the
communities we serve with local experts, stakeholders, and community
leaders.



Many Hands Make for Better Work: Enhancing the Library with Entry-Level Workers