(Atlantic) Atlantic Public Library will begin offering Library for All events twice a month in January. These events will rotate between art experiences, music and movement classes, and games.
Library for All is the result of the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, 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.
“We know there is a local population of adults and teens with developmental disabilities and that the library wasn’t serving their needs well,” said Library Director Michelle Andersen. “After hosting community conversations and surveying the target population, we discovered that most want to come to special experiences at the library. There wasn’t a clear winner in what type of experiences, so we are holding regular events but rotating what activity it will be.”
Andersen emphasizes that Library for All events are open to any community member, not just those with disabilities. “Our mission statement says it best: ‘The [library] connects the community to information, resources, and each other…’. I’m excited to see what relationships and connections happen over the next year of this special program.”
The January sessions of Library for All will be held on January 9th and 16th with art activities. Registration and more information can be found on the library’s online calendar or by calling the library.
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 Atlantic Public Library connects the community to information, resources, and each other in order to spark ideas and new connections.
