OFN is committed to helping librarians move beyond transactional relationships, into sustaining partnerships with culture bearers so that both parties benefit from richer cultural programing. Within the Culture Connects program, OFN:

• Trains a region of librarians in cross-cultural communication and artist hospitality skills.
• Awards funds to a select number of libraries from that region to host cultural programming.
• Supports awardees with technical assistance for program planning and administration.

The Willamette Valley is the 2026 region of focus. Oregon Folklife Network provided professional development training to 20 librarians representing 14 libraries, awarding a total of $15,000 to five libraries to complete self-directed cultural programming that aligns with their library’s goals and needs for their broader community.

The Culture Connects program is the second iteration of OFN's 8-year-long Culture Fest program.