This workshop will walk participants through the full lifecycle of a successful community placemaking project, from grant award to ribbon cutting. Jaime Pitt, Director of the Marion Public Library, and Kelsey Winters, Project Lead, will share their firsthand experiences obtaining a Community Placemaking Grant and partnering with Project for Public Spaces (PPS) to reimagine the library’s outdoor courtyard.  Presenters will discuss the project process from design to implementation, and how meaningful community engagement and collaboration shaped this public space from start to finish.  The session will conclude with lessons learned and insights on celebrating the completed project with the community, offering practical guidance and takeaways for libraires and organizations undertaking similar placemaking initiatives.

Date Recorded: 5/13/2026

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Jaime Pitt, Director and Kelsey Winters, Head of Museum Services & Special Projects / Marion Public Library & History Center

Resources:

• From Grant to Gathering Place pdf of slides