Date Available
5-28-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Graduate Capstone Project
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration
College
Graduate School
Department/School/Program
Public Administration
Faculty
Dr. Taha Hameduddin
Committee Member
Dr. Jeongyoon Lee
Faculty
Dr. Joseph Benitez
Abstract
Amidst the evolving economic, political, religious, social, and technological landscape of the United States, one enduring element across communities has been the presence and importance of public libraries. Despite the decreasing number of genuinely public spaces in America, public libraries remain accessible and welcoming to all (Howard, 2019). Modern public libraries unite people and are "rewriting common assumptions of what people think a library does" (Carlson, 2024). Going far beyond books, libraries are serving as a "trusted public common for social innovation and civic engagement," partnering with community organizations to address daily living issues (i.e., food insecurities and professional development), and collaborating with local government to meeting spaces for civic engagement and safe spaces during public health emergencies (Carlson, 2024). Libraries are being called "social infrastructures" as these physical spaces and organizations shape the way people interact and receive support (i.e., companionship for older adults, de facto childcare, and welcoming space for vulnerable populations) (Klinenberg, 2018).
It is unsurprising that libraries have been described as "the cornerstones of the communities they serve" due to free access to ideas, information, and resources that are imperative for "education, employment, enjoyment, and self-government" (American Library Association, 2006). This includes access to the arts, which fosters aesthetic appreciation, education, expression, social connection, and change. According to the American Library Association, visual arts can be a powerful component of library collections and services, offering communities opportunities to understand and engage with diverse cultural expressions. Libraries can provide visual art experiences through temporary exhibits, permanent installations, programs, and performances, creating spaces for creativity and exploration (American Library 3 Association, 2018). How libraries choose to integrate art depends on factors such as community needs, facility resources, and funding.
There are articles, news features, social media posts, and town halls focusing on how public libraries contribute to fostering community engagement via diverse collaborations, programming, services, and special events. However, little research has been done to assess the overall integration of public libraries and art communities. A public library system in a growing city in the southern United States seeks to gain more insight into this topic. Lexington Public Library (LPL) in Lexington, KY, offers arts programming but questions its overall effectiveness and public programming alignment with the local art community. This research and analysis explore opportunities for effective strategic alignment by combining an assessment of public value and stakeholder engagement.
Recommended Citation
Ferguson, Jonnisa and Metzger-Elder, Samantha, "Strategic Alignment of Lexington Public Library and Art Community" (2025). MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects. 458.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/mpampp_etds/458
