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About Path to Belonging

  • LJ Martin: Chautauqua Cattaraugus County Library System

Welcome to the Path to Belonging!

We developed the Path To Belonging to empower small and rural libraries to support healthy, vibrant, resilient communities. The framework's four paths offer a flexible approach. Navigate cyclically through the four Paths or meander through them as you need, allowing you to shape your journey. The four paths are:

  • Personal: Builds self-awareness, confidence, and authenticity.
  • Professional: Integrates the skills built in the Personal Path with our careers.
  • Organizational: Explores removing systemic barriers to foster a welcoming culture.
  • Community: Encourages a community-focused library that reflects its residents through increased participation and collaboration in and out of the library,

The Path to Belonging is an interactive practice with tools and exercises to guide your journey. If you need help figuring out where to start, we recommend using our self-assessment tool. Remember, you may navigate this framework in a way that suits you best. 

While this may appear overwhelming, take a deep breath and explore. We don't expect you to do this in a day, a week, or even a month, but rather serve as an ongoing guide and support. And remember, we're here to help you along the way.

We're eager to hear about your experiences with the tools and the paths. Your feedback helps us continue to improve them as a resource for small and rural librarians. Please share your experience, insight, and stories about what traveling the Path looks like for your library through the Contact Us button—your contributions will enrich the Path for everyone.

The Path to Belonging is a collaborative initiative between the Outreach Coordinators of seven New York library systems:

  • Anja Bouchard: Clinton Essex Franklin Library System
  • Keturah Cappadonia: Southern Tier Library System
  • Kerstin Cruger: Mid-Hudson Library System
  • Erica Freudenberger: Southern Adirondack Library System
  • LJ Martin: Chautauqua Cattaraugus County Library System
  • Jenny Shonk: Finger Lakes Library System
  • Katie St. Laurent: North Country Library System
  • Judith Wines: Upper Hudson Library System