LESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY OF ROME RECEIVES NATIONAL GRANT FOR SMALL AND RURAL LIBRARIES
$10,000 Grant Will Help the Library Work with Residents with Disabilities to Provide Library Material Delivery Service 

Nekoosa, WI — The Lester Public Library of Rome 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 implement a library materials home delivery service for patrons with mobility-related disabilities.

“We are honored to be selected for this impactful award,” said Library Director Nicole Menzel. “This grant will allow us to better serve all members of our community and expand the services we offer beyond the physical walls of the library.”

As part of the grant, Lester Public Library of Rome staff will take an online course in how to lead community conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a conversation with residents about at-home library accessibility and use the grant funds to create a delivery program.

Many Rome residents have asked about accommodations for themselves or others in the community who are not able to leave their home due to a temporary or permanent disability. This program will offer the patrons an alternative when they cannot physically visit the library or find someone to pick up materials for them.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Nicole Menzel at nmenzel [at] romepubliclibrary.org, or visit www.romepubliclibrary.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).”

The Lester Public Library of Rome (Wisconsin), established in 2001, strives to provide quality, high interest materials and services which fulfill educational, informational, and recreational needs of our community and surrounding areas. Please visit www.romepubliclibrary.org to learn more.