Community Collections

2022 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Henrico County, Va., VA

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About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

The Community Collections initiative at Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) repurposes withdrawn library material and donations to encourage juvenile literacy by providing books to children. In three years, HCPL has partnered with five different Henrico County agencies to provide over 2000 books in 12 locations across the county. The locations include waiting rooms in Social Services and the Health Department, libraries in two Juvenile Detention centers, and in Henrico Mental Health & Developmental Services’ Connect after school and summer programs. The materials selected for Community Collections are used books that have been donated to the library or withdrawn from the library’s collection. HCPL staff work with staff in partner agencies to provide age- and culturally-appropriate material and plan on-site installation. Community Collections encourage literacy by providing free books to children in the community, extend the life of books by finding them new homes after their time in the library has ended, and help the library engage interdepartmentally with county partners to share resources.

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