TRION PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES NATIONAL GRANT FOR SMALL AND RURAL LIBRARIES

$10,000 Grant Will Help the Library Work with Residents with Disabilities to improve accessibility.

The Trion 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 increase accessibility to the building for individuals with mobility disabilities.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Delana Sissel. “This grant will allow our library to get to know our residents with disabilities better. It will help us improve our services so all members of our community feel welcome and comfortable in our space.”

As part of the grant, Trion 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 building accessibility and use the grant funds to meet accessibility needs.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Sarah Colombo by calling (706) 236-4600 ext 4620, or emailing scolombo@shrls.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.