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NEGAUNEE PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES NATIONAL GRANT FOR SMALL AND RURAL LIBRARIES

$10,000 Grant Will Help the Library Work with Residents with Disabilities to Access Library
Posted on: March 4, 2024 - 1:25pm

NEGAUNEE — NEGAUNEE PUBLIC LIBRARY has been selected as one of 310 libraries to participate in round two 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 install automated door openers in conjunction with the city replacing the ramp, to improve building accessibility.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Jessica Holman. “This grant will allow our library to get to know our residents with disabilities better. It will help us improve our services to ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in our space.”

As part of the grant, Negaunee Public Library 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 accessibility and use the grant funds to install automated door openers for the library.

The current ramp into Negaunee Public Library was built in the 1990s and is badly in need of repair. As the city is planning to replace the ramp this year, this grant comes at an opportune time.

“This grant will help us literally open doors for our community,” said Holman. “Those unable to open the heavy door to the library will now gain access with the push of a button.”

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Jessica Holman at 906-475-7700 ext. 18, or visit https://www.cityofnegaunee.com/negaunee-public-library 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).”