EDGE STRENGTHENS LIBRARIES

The Edge Initiative is a voluntary, assessment program that includes benchmarks, best practices, tools and resources that support continuous improvement and drive reinvestment toward public technology. Edge gives libraries the flexibility to grow and plan for the future.

Edge soft launch set for june 2013

Led by the Urban Libraries Council, the Edge Coalition will soft launch this initiative in seven states beginning this June. The Edge Initiative was created to provide libraries everywhere with new strategies and tools to help achieve community priorities through enhanced technology. Edge will empower library leaders to elevate their strategic planning, shape the future of their library, and communicate its value in building a strong community. Learn more about the timeline >

Benchmarks and more coming soon

Have you used the Edge Benchmarks Version 1.0 to help with your library's technology planning? If so, you probably used the printable version made available earlier this year. The Edge Coalition is completing the online Edge Toolkit - a suite of tools and resources, including an online benchmark assessment tool - that will help libraries strengthen public access technology. Stay tuned for updates on when Edge will be available to all libraries. What’s included in the toolkit, you ask? See the list of tools >

Benchmarks Give Public Libraries the Edge

In this digital world, where people are accessing and finding information more and more with technology, library services must continuously change to meet the needs of the community. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that library patrons “are eager to see libraries’ digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age.”

Enter the Edge Initiative, a powerful new leadership and management tool to empower library leaders to elevate their strategic planning, shape the future of the library and communicate its value in supporting community goals and initiatives around education, health, economic development and much more. In this Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation article “Benchmarks Give Libraries the Edge”, Sarah Washburn shares how Edge benefits library patrons, strengthens public access across the country, and helps libraries align services to achieve community goals.

From a Branch Manager...

"Learning about Edge put a fire to my ideas. We held an advertised community forum on library technology needs. In this forum, the community said they would like to experience using tablets. We now have four tablets and our patrons can ‘Add An App.’ Having the availability for our patrons to test and play with tablets brings them closer to bridging the tech divide.”

Susan Rice, Branch Manager
Naturita Community Library (CO)