What Does The Library Mean To You?

The following press release was submitted by the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation.

What the Library Means to Me: A Campaign to Celebrate the Library’s Impact Throughout New Haven, CT — The New Haven Free Public Library Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of “What the Library Means to Me”, sponsored by BLOOM and curated by Kulturally LIT, a citywide authored program book inviting community members to share their personal stories and reflections on the significance of the New Haven Free Public Library in their lives. This initiative is designed not only to celebrate the Library’s pivotal role in our community but also to create a citywide authored booklet that will preserve participants’ heartfelt narratives for generations to come.  

The campaign aims to engage Library patrons of all ages—children, teens, and adults. Through various methods of story collection, including online submissions, social media engagement, and in-person storytelling workshops, we hope to gather a diverse array of experiences that highlight the Library as a cultural and educational hub. Key components of the campaign include: 

• Story Collection Methods: Community members can submit their stories via email (charitablegiving@nhfpl.org), share on social media using the hashtag #NHFPLibraryStories, and participate in live storytelling events at the Library branches. 
• Promotional Strategies: Eye-catching posters and flyers will be distributed throughout the community, complemented by a robust social media campaign featuring participant stories and quotes. 
• Engagement Activities: Workshops on creative writing and storytelling will be offered, alongside discussion panels featuring Library staff and community members to foster deeper connections. The campaign will culminate in a community event, the NHFPL Foundation’s highly anticipated annual Mardi Gras event: The Big Easy at Ives, taking place on February 17th at 5:30PM-8:30PM (Rain date: February 20th at 5:30PM-8:30PM) at Ives Main Library, where the collected stories will be presented and two members of our community, Claire Criscuolo and Shamain (Sha) McAllister, will be honored for their contributions. This year’s Mardi Gras will be a celebration of culture, resilience, remembrance, and joy designed by event planner Alisha Crutchfield and Andy Rubenoff. Libraries serve that same spirit by preserving access, imagination, and community memory. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and connection through the transformative power of libraries. We invite everyone in New Haven to participate and share their unique perspectives. Together, let’s illuminate what the New Haven Free Public Library truly means to our community. For more information on how to participate, visit NHFPL.org or contact Heather Robison at charitablegiving@nhfpl.org