Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks
Episode: Creating Safe Spaces: Outreach, Inclusion, and the Modern Library
Host/Author: mlapodcast
Release Date: May 8, 2025

Introduction

In the seventh episode of Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks, hosts Debbie McCullough, Executive Director of the Michigan Library Association, and Mallory Devildes, Director at the Suburban Library Cooperative, delve into the pivotal role libraries play in fostering safe and inclusive communities. This episode features a compelling conversation with Olivia Olson, the Head of Community Engagement at the Troy Public Library. Olivia shares her journey in librarianship, the evolution of library services, and the profound impact of creating safe spaces within the community.

Guest Background: Olivia Olson’s Journey

Olivia Olson’s connection to the library world began at an early age. Reflecting on her first memory, Olivia reminisces:

"My very first memory of the library is the Rochester Hills Public Library Youth Room. They had a stuffed Mother Goose that hung from the ceiling... that was like the peak of library innovation and the best thing possible." (01:18)

Her initial role as a page at the Rochester Hills Public Library ignited her passion for librarianship. Olivia recounts a friendly competition with her neighbor to secure their first jobs, leading her to choose the library over other opportunities. She emphasizes the library as her "third place," a sanctuary away from home and school where she felt safe and inspired (Olivia Olson, 03:30).

Role and Responsibilities: Head of Community Engagement

As the Head of Community Engagement, Olivia oversees initiatives aimed at broadening the library’s reach to underserved populations. She explains the strategic naming of her department to encompass more than traditional outreach:

"We called it community engagement because we wanted to identify any populations that had been underserved historically by the library and try to reach out to them, meet them where they are in the community." (04:52)

Key responsibilities include:

• Outreach to Diverse Populations: Engaging seniors, adults with developmental disabilities, non-English speakers, and individuals with physical disabilities.
• Bookmobile Operations: Launched in September, the bookmobile brings library services directly to various community events and locations.
• Event Participation: Setting up tables at events, registering new library card holders, and promoting library services.

Olivia shares a favorite bookmobile story:

"We had a spontaneous Taylor Swift dance party at the Boys and Girls Club. It was not planned, but seeing the kids engage and have fun was incredibly rewarding." (06:39)

Memorable Moments: Making a Difference

Olivia reflects on her tenure as a teen librarian, highlighting the creation of a safe haven for academically driven youth in Troy, a community known for its strong educational emphasis. She shares the story of organizing the "Louder Than a Bomb" poetry slam, where her team of teen poets addressed themes like academic pressure and personal struggles. This initiative not only provided a creative outlet but also fostered a sense of community and self-expression among the participants:

"Having that extracurricular fun, artful self-expression project, I think was hopefully made a positive impact on them." (09:02)

Evolution of Libraries: Adapting to Change

Discussing the transformation within libraries, Olivia notes both the constant and the evolving aspects of library services. She reflects on the initial apprehensions surrounding the introduction of ebooks and how libraries have adeptly integrated new technologies while preserving traditional services:

"Every time there's a new technology, there's a new wave of fretting about it and some media stuff about it. Libraries have done an excellent job keeping up while also maintaining those traditional services." (14:14)

Olivia observes the shift from computer-centric spaces to offering ample electrical outlets for patrons’ personal devices, showcasing the library’s adaptability to current technological trends.

Personal Impact: Learning from Patrons

Olivia shares how her interactions with a diverse patron base have enriched her personal and professional life. Working in Troy, a community with significant linguistic diversity, has broadened her cultural understanding and appreciation:

"One in three of our residents speak a language other than English at home. I have learned so much about cultures other than my own languages." (18:02)

She highlights the importance of English language learning groups in fostering inclusivity and global awareness, drawing from her own experiences traveling to Quebec City and the challenges faced by non-English speakers.

Creative Connections: Conversations with Books

As a creative writer, Olivia contemplates the profound connection between readers and literature. She mentions her favorite book, "Letters to a Young Poet" by Rainer Maria Rilke, and reflects on its impact:

"It's a book that has spoken to me. One of those ones where you dip into and it speaks to you at various points of your life." (20:55)

Olivia envisions an enriching dialogue with the book, appreciating its exploration of loneliness and self-creation, themes that resonate deeply with her personal and professional ethos.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Libraries

Olivia expresses unwavering optimism about the future of libraries. She emphasizes their critical role as "third places" that combat loneliness and foster community connections:

"I have just huge hope for the future of libraries. Libraries are more important than ever in battling an epidemic of loneliness in our country and our world." (23:19)

She cites the bustling environment of the Troy Public Library, often reaching capacity on busy days, as a testament to the enduring relevance and necessity of library spaces.

Conclusion

In this episode of Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks, Olivia Olson eloquently articulates the dynamic role of modern libraries in promoting outreach, inclusion, and community engagement. Her experiences underscore the library’s evolution in embracing new technologies while steadfastly maintaining its commitment to being a safe and welcoming space for all. Olivia’s hopeful vision for the future reaffirms the indispensable value of libraries in nurturing connected and resilient communities.

Notable Quotes:

• Olivia Olson (03:30): "The library was certainly that [third place] for me. I think it's that for a lot of people, and so that's why I chose it."

• Olivia Olson (04:52): "We called it community engagement because we wanted to identify any populations that had been underserved historically by the library and try to reach out to them."

• Olivia Olson (09:02): "Having that extracurricular fun, artful self-expression project, I think was hopefully made a positive impact on them."

• Olivia Olson (14:14): "Libraries have done an excellent job keeping up while also maintaining those traditional services."

• Olivia Olson (18:02): "I have learned so much about cultures other than my own languages."

• Olivia Olson (20:55): "It's a book that has spoken to me... it speaks to you at various points of your life."

• Olivia Olson (23:19): "Libraries are more important than ever in battling an epidemic of loneliness in our country and our world."

Join Us Next Month!

Stay tuned for the June episode of Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks, featuring Jennifer Balcombe, Co-op Director at the Mid Michigan Library League, and guest Tracy Logan Walker, Director of the Cadillac Wexford Public Library. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform to continue exploring inspiring stories from Michigan’s library community.