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Core Connections: Building Community Supports & Allyship at Your Library

Logo for “Core Connections” featuring two overlapping half-circle shapes on the left and the text “core connections: building community supports & allyship at your library” on the right.

This 12-month series showcases the value of library strategic partnerships and meaningful allyship in our work environments to provide supports to vulnerable and marginalized individuals. Through a mix of informational sessions, workshops and panel discussions, library staff and stakeholders will explore collaborations and best practices that provide practical solutions and resources for trauma-informed, inclusive library environments. Explore new topics each month with statewide partners that address emerging library trends, adaptive and accessible spaces for people living with disabilities, and outreach to isolated community members who may be aging, struggling with mental health or justice impacted.


Core Connections Schedule

January 14, 2026

Building Deaf-Friendly Libraries 

February 12, 2026

Supporting Aging Populations

March

Trustee/Director Allyship: LGBTQ Community

April

How to Be an Active Bystander; Trauma Informed Librarianship

May 

Libraries as Health Equity Hubs

June

Supporting Justice - Involved Communities

July

Law for Librarians

August

Emerging Trends in Public Library Services

September

Trustee/Director Allyship: BIPOC Community

October 

Building Disability-Inclusive Library Services

November 

Trustee/Director Allyship: People w/Disabilities

December

Finding Grants and Funding

For More Information

Allyson Dowds, Consultant to Special Populations
617-725-1860 x235
857-283-5663 (Mobile)
allyson.dowds@mass.gov