The document discusses three requests for presentations by the Brooklyn Public Library director at various conferences in Europe. The first request is for a presentation at a Barcelona conference focused on youth, addressing BPL's programs for young jobseekers and entrepreneurs. The second is for a talk at the University of Barcelona on strengthening information literacy among patrons and BPL's work in this area. The third provides details about a presentation at a business incubator in Madrid, requesting information on BPL's PowerUp business plan competition and tools for entrepreneurs. Sample program proposals are provided that summarize BPL's relevant services.

1. One
What they wanted:
I just wanted to emphasize that the focus of our series of conferences is youth. We would appreciate if your
presentation addresses the types of programs, projects and services BPL provides to young jobseekers looking for its
first job and young entrepreneurs. Our conference in Barcelona is addressed to librarians working in public libraries,
students and public officials.
What I proposed:
Developing Stories, Building Communities: Brooklyn Public Library's Services for Young Jobseekers and
Entrepreneurs.
Once upon a time libraries weren't taken seriously as contributors to the economy. Yet, libraries have always
participated in workforce development by fostering literacy in youths and adults. Now, at a time when diverse
jobseekers everywhere, especially young adults, face the toughest of job markets, libraries are being asked to do
even more. Like other libraries throughout the US, Brooklyn Public Library has answered this call by constructing
innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and user centered practices that promote youth, workforce, economic,
and community development. Developing Stories, Building Communities will share Brooklyn Public Library's
challenges, initiatives, and progress in changing the conversation about the role of libraries and their relevance.
Two
What they wanted:
I just wanted to inform you that for Tuesday morning (March 19) we are organizing a talk at the School of Library
and Information Science of the University of Barcelona. Your talk at the university will be addressed to
undergraduate students attending the course “Information literacy & Library Instruction”. They would like to learn
about the types of programs and services you develop at the BPL to strengthen information literacy among your
patrons as well as your job as director of adult learning.
Lisa, you had suggested surveying other public libraries to see what they're doing. If you've come across any
practices that you think I should look at let me know. I might start or end by discussing how other public libraries in
the US are managing information literacy for patrons.
What I proposed:
Empowering the Masses: Brooklyn Public Library's Information Literacy Efforts
Though public libraries aren't known for bibliographic instruction classes like academic and school libraries, they
embed information literacy in services and programs for patrons. Through reference (in person and electronic)
services, database classes, youth programs, and online resources, librarians share essential strategies to equip users
to effectively navigate and utilize information resources. In my role as Director of Adult Learning, I will be working
to strengthen instruction to adult learners, limited English proficiency students, and others based on information
literacy standards and through the use of technology. In addition, I will be expanding BPL's capacity to reach more
jobseekers and entrepreneurs.
Three
What they wanted:
I am writing to you to give you details about the second part of your program in Madrid that will be in a business
incubator. They are very interested in the Brooklyn Public Library program PowerUp! and also in learning about
the tools the library offers to entrepreneurs to start a new business.
The structure of your program will be 30 or 45 minutes of talk followed by a Q&A time. There will be simultaneous
translation English-Spanish and you could use a PowerPoint presentation if you wish.
We would like to ask you if you could prepare an additional talk to be delivered in Madrid and Murcia. This talk
might include some samples and recommendations related to the successful programs run and partnered by the
Brooklyn Public Library such as PowerUp! Business plan competition and other programs addressed to help to start
a new business, especially among unemployed people. The main audience in both cases will be mainly business
incubators organization and associations, faculty members and students.
What I proposed:
Brief Abstract
Driving Economic Development: Brooklyn Public Library’s Efforts to Serve Entrepreneurs and Businesses.
Libraries contribute to economic development in many ways. At Brooklyn Public Library, in addition to offering
collections, resources, and services for entrepreneurs and businesses, we also offer a business plan competition
called PowerUP! In existence for 10 years now, PowerUP! is one way BPL is contributing to economic development
through business and job creation. In addition, BPL also partners with various organizations to contribute and
support economic and business development.