Announcing LITT: Library Lifelines

In times of economic uncertainty, people increasingly turn to libraries for resources and support. The ICfL is excited to announce that it is launching a limited LITT series that will run for one year and focus on different ways that libraries can support their communities in an uncertain economy. We are calling it "Library Lifelines: Building Community Resilience in Uncertain Times."This 12-month LITT chat serieswill showcase how libraries can become essential community hubs during economic uncertainty, covering practical programming from job seeker support and digital skills training to food security initiatives like budget cooking classes and community gardens. Each month, library professionals and partners will share actionable strategies for addressing real community needs-from repair cafés and grant writing workshops to health information literacy and creative space utilization-demonstrating how libraries can transform challenges into opportunities for meaningful community impact.

This LITT discussion will occur on the third Thursday of each month at 12 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. PT, beginning in October 2025, and will run for one year, through September 2026. Our first LITT: Library Lifelines chat will be held on October 16, 2025. Here is the topic calendar for this discussion series:

• October 16, 2025 - Supporting Job Seekers

• November 20, 2025 - Cooking on a Budget

• December 18, 2025 - Living on a Budget

• January 15, 2026 - Repair Cafés

• February 19, 2026 - Supporting Aging Populations

• March 19, 2026 - Growing Your Own Food

• April 16, 2026 - General Health

• May 21, 2026 - Digital Skills

• June 18, 2026 - Rural Community Highlight - Genealogy

• July 16, 2026 - Finding Grants & Funding

• August 20, 2026 - Applying for Grants & Fundraising

• September 17, 2026 - Idaho Library Highlights

Unlike most LITT chats, these discussions will be recorded. As always, discussion notes will be saved on the LITT: Library Lifelines webpage.Download a printable calendar for your break room!