This webinar series has been developed in collaboration with the Pacific Library Partnership and the California State Library. Trustworthy information from diverse yet reliable sources is crucial for making strategic decisions and California’s Public Libraries play a crucial role in fostering community progress and well-being. The aim of the webinar series is to showcase ways in which PolicyMap can enhance the offerings of public libraries in California, with a specific focus on social determinants of health (SDOH).
PolicyMap for Libraries: Mapping, Data, and Community Impact
This session will teach attendees how to use PolicyMap to gain a better understanding of the community within their library district. Unique features that will be covered include generating a community profile report for library jurisdictions or branches, customizing data layers to visualize key differences between neighborhoods, and saving and sharing maps. The session will also delve into the newly updated demographic data from the Census’ American Community Survey.
Library professionals will also learn to integrate aspects like digital equity using FCC Broadband data for better access to digital resources, accessing education data for library-school partnerships, and understanding community needs like food insecurity and public transportation access. The session will spotlight the Social Vulnerability Index and its role in identifying areas needing more library resources and safe spaces during natural disasters.
Session 1 – PolicyMap for Libraries:
Mapping, Data, and Community Impact
PolicyMap’s Aaron Klein hosts the first webinar session developed in partnership with the California Library Association.
PolicyMap for California State Libraries
PolicyMap is now available to all California public library staff as part of a statewide initiative by the California State Library and the Pacific Library Partnership to support libraries in making equity-based, data-driven decisions for community impact. Guidance for use is available on the platform, and we will announce training especially for California in the coming weeks. Request your account today!