The Living Library is a dynamic, best-practice online learning community. By providing a framework for lesson sharing, mentoring and professional development among teachers, it promotes equity and excellence in K–12 education. The project grew from an inter-generational mentoring initiative started in the retired and student programs of the Illinois Education Association.

The vision of the Living Library originated with classroom teachers who saw an opportunity to use the Internet to make great teaching ideas more accessible to all educators in America’s classrooms. Living Library is a comprehensive resource designed to help teachers learn, perfect and hand down the art of good teaching to the next generation of educators.

With Living Library

• Practicing teachers share and receive relevant teaching tips, ideas and lessons they can use immediately.
• Retired teachers leave a legacy and give back to the profession by sharing their tested lessons and tips.
• Student teachers who use Living Library walk in the classroom feeling more equipped and confident.