[DRR] Community Engagement in U.S. Public Libraries: Definitions, Theory, and Practice

A Deep Research Report ("DRR") is an AI-generated research report based on AI-gathered research materials. An AI agent is instructed to conduct research and synthesize the results, including sources and references.

Community engagement has emerged as a central theme in public librarianship, especially in recent years. Public libraries in the United States are increasingly expected to go beyond traditional services and actively collaborate with their communities to identify needs, co-create services, and foster social wellbeing. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, social justice movements, and ongoing digital divides, libraries have redoubled efforts to engage their communities in meaningful ways. This article provides a comprehensive overview of community engagement in public libraries, tailored for MLIS graduate students. It explores how the concept is defined and interpreted in library contexts, the theoretical foundations underlying it, and why it is critically important in a post-2021 environment. The discussion then turns to evidence-based best practices for implementation – from partnerships and outreach models to user-centered programming and co-creation – as well as common challenges such efforts face. Finally, we highlight several recent case studies (post-2021) illustrating innovative community engagement initiatives in U.S. public libraries. Throughout, we cite relevant scholarly literature, professional reports, and official library documentation to ground the discussion in evidence.