Genuine engagement with community invites us to explore the ways in which opportunities are designed and offered. As we actively engage in building and deepening relationships with communities, how might we elevate voices, strengthen services, and center equity? One way is through co-design, an approach and process that designs with communities, not for communities.

The purpose of this webinar is to aid in developing, deepening, and strengthening understanding of the co-design model and process and partnering with young people, in particular.  The intended audience for this webinar is library directors and library staff who serve youth.

Co-Design: Walking Alongside Community is a 90-minute, interactive webinar that explores what co-design is, how it supports equity, and gives ideas for how to get started.  This session will be presented by LaKesha Kimbrough on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM.

LaKesha is a healing centered engagement practitioner and equity consultant who has engaged in facilitation work since 2012, facilitating and co-facilitating workshops and training that center healing and liberation. Amongst the organizations and groups with whom LaKesha has worked are the Building Equity Based Summers project, (California), Developing Leaders project (California), Environmental Justice Council, Department of Health (Washington State), Department of Education and Early Learning (Washington), Minnesota Engagement Shelter and Housing, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Library Development, and the Seattle Public Library,

The session will not be recorded; however, a training video on concepts and practices will be available via the Pennsylvania Library Staff Academy in the near future.  This session is eligible for 1.5 CE credits and 1.5 Act 48 credits (for individuals with a PA Teaching Certificate).

This project is made possible by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

Register for “Co-Design: Walking Alongside Community” on Wednesday, May 31 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM here.

Please send questions to Corri Hines, School Age Services Advisor, at cohines@pa.gov.