The American Conversation Project (ACP) — a national initiative of the National Conference on Citizenship and Cortico — is inviting public libraries to host small-group community conversations during Civic Season — June 19 through July 4, with flexibility into the summer. It's timed around the country's 250th anniversary, and the idea is simple: give communities a structured, welcoming space to share stories and hear from one another.
We've been intentional about making this accessible for libraries of all sizes and experience levels. You don't need to be an expert in civic programming or facilitation — if your library serves people, it belongs in this cohort.
The ask:
Nominate a facilitator and complete a 90-minute virtual orientation
Host one or more conversations during Civic Season
What participating libraries receive:
A stipend of $250–$1,000 (based on number of conversations hosted), plus an extra $250 bonus for the first library in each state to sign up
Hands-on facilitation skills their staff keeps, plus insights from their own community's conversations
The ACP Toolkit and a physical swag kit to help with promotion and hosting
Access to Cortico's platform for ongoing community listening work
(Optional) AI Sensemaking Certificate — a paid opportunity for libraries that want to learn how to surface patterns across conversations through a listening process led by people and supported by AI tools
We want to include voices from West Virginia in this national effort, and we know your voice with member libraries carries real weight. If you're open to it, even a brief mention in your next newsletter or listserv would go a long way — I'm happy to send a ready-to-use blurb you can drop right in.
Libraries can learn more and sign up here: https://www.americanconversations.org/libraries. The sign-up deadline is May 29, and we're also hosting optional virtual learning calls in April and May for anyone who wants to hear more first; sign up for those here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3IEHa4TpXvJVXozr8AcIVyKuKDVOXckIvrQnI5XerB2joIw/viewform.
I’d also be happy to connect you directly to one of the organizers if you have any questions!
Thank you,
Phoebe
Phoebe can be reached via email at pbierly@irex.org
