Teens’ Voices to Shape National Conversations at the North Liberty Library Through Cortico, MIT CCC, and PBS Frontline Initiative

Contact:
Nick Shimmin, Adult Services Librarian
North Liberty Library
nshimmin@northlibertyiowa.org
319-626-5781

NORTH LIBERTY, IA – The North Liberty Library has been selected as one of only ten libraries nationwide, and the sole Midwest library, to participate in the Teen Dialogue Accelerator, a national initiative led by social technology nonprofit, Cortico, in collaboration with the MIT Center for Constructive Communication (MIT CCC) and PBS Frontline. As part of this project, the library will host 5-10 peer-led conversations for ages 14-19, designed to place youth perspectives at the forefront of civic dialogue.

Running throughout March and April 2026, the project will consist of small-group conversations on topics that matter most to our community’s teens. Rather than directing discussion topics, discussions will be designed to explore subjects that resonate most deeply with them, ensuring their voices remain authentic and self-directed. North Liberty’s conversations will be led by Youth Fellow Allison Honz, a University of Iowa student in Education and Library Science.

“Libraries are books and much more. they are spaces for connection and engagement,” notes North Liberty Library Director, Jennie Garner. “That work begins by ensuring all voices are heard, especially those of young people who will inherit the future we’re creating today. This program offers teens a genuine role in guiding civic dialogue, and we are proud to be a space where they are invited to be active partners in community engagement.”

Audio recordings will be created during conversations for use in promoting teen voices both locally and nationally. Insights will be shared with MIT CCC researchers to advance tools that promote constructive conversation and distributed nationally through PBS Frontline to help communities understand and support young voices in civic dialogue.

Conversations will be held in North Liberty throughout March and April this year (2026). Parents or guardians of teens ages 14-17 must provide consent for participation. Participants will be provided with snacks, refreshments, and participation incentives.

Interested teens and families can register at https://northlibertylibrary.org/teendialogue/ or contact Nick Shimmin at nshimmin@northlibertyiowa.org. Adult Services Librarian Nick Shimmin and Youth Fellow Allison Honz are available for media inquiries and interviews.

About the Teen Dialogue Accelerator
The Teen Dialogue Accelerator is a collaborative initiative led by Cortico, a social technology nonprofit dedicated to bringing underheard voices to the center of healthier public dialogue. In collaboration with MIT Center for Constructive Communication and PBS Frontline, the project aims to elevate teen voices and advance understanding of how young people engage in meaningful dialogue. Through participation from 10 libraries nationwide, the program looks to create new pathways for teens to influence local and national conversations about their futures.

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