Adams County Library System has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in round three of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.
The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library improve access for patrons with mobility challenges and visual processing differences.
“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Executive Director Miranda Wisor “This grant will allow our library to get to know and serve our residents with different abilities better. It will help us improve our services to ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in the New Oxford Library.”
As part of the grant, ACLS staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a conversation with residents about library service accessibility and use the grant funds to improve lighting in the library and remedy navigation challenges.
Many visitors to the New Oxford Library have raised concerns about the harsh light from the tall windows, particularly on sunny summer days. Worn, tattered carpets have also been a growing safety concern at the location. These grant funds will help ACLS solve both structural challenges in the space.
If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Erica Duffy at development@adamslibrary.org or visit www.adamslibrary.org for more information.
Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums, take part in anti-violence activities, provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics, and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees, and staff.
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).
New Oxford Library is one of six ACLS locations providing free library resources to residents of Adams County.
Eric Duffy is Development Director at the Adams County Library System.