FORT ATKINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES NATIONAL GRANT FOR SMALL AND RURAL LIBRARIES

Posted: May 16, 2023

Editor: Please do not edit out ALA credit in the last paragraph.

Contact:

Laura Thomas

Director

Fort Atkinson Public Library

563-534-2222

webmaster@fortatkinson.lib.ia.us

 FORT ATKINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES NATIONAL GRANT FOR SMALL AND RURAL LIBRARIES
$20,000 Grant Will Help the Library Work with Residents with Disabilities to fully access the library.

Fort Atkinson — Fort Atkinson Public Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in 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 $20,000 grant that will help the library with capital improvements around its disabled access.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Laura Thomas. “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, Fort Atkinson 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 replace the rear entrance, install electric door openers [and replace the existing ramp].

Accessibility is vital to the use of library services, and with limited access means limited use. “It’s often difficult to use the rear entrance to the library and we want to improve that so that all of our patrons are able to access the library and its resources,” said Thomas.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Laura Thomas at 563-534-222, webmaster@fortatkinson.lib.ia.us or visit www.fortatkinson.lib.ia.us 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).”

Fort Atkinson Public Library is a rural library located in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. It was established in 1964 to serve Fort Atkinson and the surrounding area. It provides a variety of services to patrons of all ages and abilities. For more information, see our website at www.fortatkinson.lib.ia.us.

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