The YES Institute has recently begun forming innovative partnerships with public library systems. The library is the perfect catalyst to address topics pertinent to health and education. Libraries increasingly serve as small community centers, offering after school programs, free seminars, and a plethora of multimedia resources available to all youth and families.

In September 2003, YES Institute received a call from Sydna Wexler, Youth Services Specialist at the Broward County Main Library. Sydna had come across our newsletter and envisioned the possibility of the library becoming a support system for youth in need of information and resources on the topics of orientation, gender, and safety.

Sydna’s vision is quickly becoming a reality. After an exciting meeting with YES Institute, the Youth Services Department staff asked YES Institute to conduct an anti-bullying and harassment presentation.  Read More.

This School Bullying Prevention Seminar on February 21, 2004 at the Broward County Main Library drew over 60 parents, teens, and educators from the community. Everyone expressed a desire for more programs that focus on combating the vicious cycle of bullying and harassment prevalent in the schools. Read More.

During the summer of 2004, the Ft. Lauderdale Library invited YES Institute to present a three-part Gender Continuum series. The series was sponsored by Broward County Friends of the Library and open to the public.

Participant Irene Pilinger remarked: “Even though I thought I knew that there are two very different sexes, girls and boys, I was encouraged to attend this series on gender presented at the library. I learned that gender is not always that simple . . .”  Read More.

We look forward to collaborating with Broward County Public Libraries and many other library systems in the future.