NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa — The North Liberty Library has been selected as one of just 10 libraries nationwide — and the only one in the Midwest — to participate in the Teen Dialogue Accelerator, a national initiative led by social technology nonprofit Cortico in partnership with the MIT Center for Constructive Communication and PBS Frontline.
The program will bring a series of peer-led conversations to North Liberty for teens ages 14 to 19, placing youth perspectives at the center of civic dialogue. Between five and 10 small-group discussions will take place throughout March and April 2026, focusing on topics identified by participating teens rather than predetermined agendas.
The conversations will be facilitated locally by Youth Fellow Allison Honz, a University of Iowa student studying education and library science. The format is designed to encourage authentic, self-directed discussion around issues that matter most to young people in the community…