The Placemaking Round-Up
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
The Biweekly Bazaar
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
Our partnership with Redbox and OCLC helped expand the definition of how a library can serve its community.
Program Administration
Community Engagement & Visioning
Place Plans & Design
Lighter, Quicker, & Cheaper
Training & Capacity Building
Libraries are one of the most trusted institutions in most communities. In 2013, Redbox, Project for Public Spaces, and OCLC partnered for Outside the Box, an initiative that brought free new programming and amenities to 27 community libraries in 2 years. Through the program, library staff, volunteers, and local partners planned and hosted fun, free events for kids and families that expanded library programming outdoors and included kayak lessons, arts and craft activities, kite flying, harvest fairs, and—of course, movies!
The initiative began in 2013 with a pilot focused on five libraries. In 2014, the program expanded to 22 libraries in 16 US states, selected through a competitive application process managed by Project for Public Spaces. Libraries were chosen based on community characteristics such as geographic and ethnic diversity, local leadership, and innovative ideas for events and community activities. Participants selected for Outside the Box received training on placemaking principles and planning community-wide events; consultation and support from OCLC and Project for Public Spaces on event and space design, event planning, and material selection; and a selection of up to $5,000 in reusable public space materials amenities provided by Redbox.
In addition, Redbox sponsored special movie nights for all the communities who applied for the 2014 Outside the Box program. These 20 additional libraries were sent a traveling movie kit, including an inflatable movie screen, projector, and sound equipment, as well as coupons for free Redbox movie rentals to use for their special movie night events.
Program Administration
Community Engagement & Visioning
Place Plans & Design
Lighter, Quicker, & Cheaper
Training & Capacity Building
