Four Voices, One Vision: Libraries as Civic Hubs: A National Conversation on Dialogue, Deliberation, and Democratic Renewal

On October 28, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM ET (11:00 AM to 12:30 PM PT), the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) and the Listen First Project will host a 90-minute webinar titled “Libraries as Civic Hubs: A National Conversation on Dialogue, Deliberation, and Democratic Renewal.” The event will feature four national leaders—Keiva Hummel of NCDD, Karissa Raskin of Listen First Project, Sanobar Wilkins of EveryLibrary, and Annie Caplan of Living Room Conversations—who will discuss how libraries can serve as trusted spaces for connection, civic learning, and democratic participation amid challenges such as censorship and polarization. Drawing from initiatives like the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities, EveryLibrary’s VoteLibraries and Fight for the First, and Living Room Conversations’ dialogue models, the speakers will share tools, case studies, and facilitation strategies to help library staff foster inclusive dialogue and rebuild trust. The webinar highlights a broader movement to position libraries as anchors of civic renewal, bridging divides and strengthening democratic life in communities nationwide.

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In just one week, the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation and the Listen First Project will convene four remarkable leaders for Libraries as Civic Hubs: A National Conversation on Dialogue, Deliberation, and Democratic Renewal. Taking place on October 28th from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT), this 90-minute session will explore how libraries can deepen their impact as trusted spaces for connection, civic learning, and democratic participation.
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As libraries face mounting challenges—from censorship attempts to shrinking budgets—while being called upon to help communities navigate polarization and rebuild trust, the insights from these four speakers offer both inspiration and practical guidance. Get to know the voices who will illuminate pathways forward for libraries serving as bridges in challenging times.

The Voices Leading the Conversation

• ​Keiva Hummel serves as Executive Director of NCDD and brings over a decade of experience as an equitable engagement practitioner. Since 2014, she has strengthened connections across the dialogue and deliberation network, supporting community builders and facilitators nationwide. With a background in Communication Studies and Conflict Resolution from San Francisco State University, Keiva understands how meaningful dialogue creates pathways for communities to navigate differences and build collective understanding. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing the American Library Association's Libraries Transforming Communities initiative in partnership with NCDD, which has trained thousands of library workers to facilitate inclusive, accessible community conversations.
  
  
• Karissa Raskin, CEO of Listen First Project, leads a national organization dedicated to bridging divides and building social cohesion across the country. Her work in community development and systems change has brought together diverse stakeholders—from local residents and faith leaders to business partners and government agencies—to co-create innovative solutions. Karissa's approach is grounded in principles of mutual benefit, reciprocity, and lasting impact, recognizing that sustainable change requires authentic collaboration across differences. Her expertise in convening diverse voices makes her uniquely qualified to speak to how libraries can serve as neutral gathering spaces for community dialogue.
  
  
• Sanobar Wilkins serves as Democracy Projects Coordinator for EveryLibrary and The EveryLibrary Institute, where she runs the VoteLibraries initiative to encourage libraries to participate in election administration and prevent violence in civic spaces. As a 2022 American Library Association Spectrum Scholar with her Master's in Library and Information Science, Sanobar brings both academic expertise and on-the-ground experience. Based in Dallas, Texas, she is locally active in preventing book bans in schools across the state while supporting library funding and promoting First Amendment rights through state-level alliance building. Her work with EveryLibrary's Libraries2025 and Fight for the First initiatives demonstrates how libraries can support voter engagement and election access while advocating against censorship.
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• Annie Caplan, Director of Engagement at Living Room Conversations, is a community builder and facilitator who believes deeply in the transformative power of authentic conversation. As a former Adult Services Librarian and Libraries Partner for Living Room Conversations, Annie has spearheaded both local and national initiatives that unite individuals and bridge divides. Her work cultivates inclusive spaces of belonging where people can connect to the truth of their shared humanity, one conversation at a time. Annie's unique perspective as both a library professional and dialogue practitioner offers valuable insights into how libraries can effectively host conversations on challenging topics, using dialogue guides and training models that help facilitate connection even around divisive issues.

What These Leaders Will Share

​Together, these four speakers will explore how dialogue and deliberation can help libraries strengthen community resilience and foster democratic participation. They'll share practical resources and facilitation guides from the American Library Association's Libraries Transforming Communities initiative, EveryLibrary's democracy programs, and Living Room Conversations' proven dialogue models. The session will also highlight insights from the Urban Libraries Council's Bridgebuilding Community of Practice and Resource Hub, which offers case studies and proven approaches for engaging communities and fostering social cohesion.

Participants will discover strategies that enable libraries to support civic participation while maintaining their essential nonpartisan stance. The conversation will examine how structured dialogue formats can help library staff confidently create spaces where community members feel heard, respected, and empowered to engage across differences. These practical tools transform abstract commitments to dialogue into concrete experiences that rebuild trust and deepen understanding.
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The webinar also emphasizes the power of networks and collaboration, connecting library professionals with civic engagement practitioners to share resources, learn from successful models, and build partnerships that extend the reach of dialogue and deliberation work.

A Movement for Democratic Renewal

This gathering represents more than a single webinar—it signals a growing movement to reclaim libraries as vital democratic spaces where every voice matters and community life thrives. Whether you work in a library, lead civic engagement initiatives, facilitate dialogue, or simply care about strengthening the fabric of community, this conversation offers inspiration, practical resources, and connections with others committed to dialogue, equity, and inclusion.

In an era when shared public spaces are increasingly rare, libraries stand as essential anchors of community life, welcoming people across every background, belief, and perspective. Join this important conversation and discover how libraries can lead the way in fostering dialogue, deliberation, and democratic renewal.
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Register now at: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjM2NzY2