Please see the AARP Livable Communities grant reminder below, as well as Noah’s note on this year’s winning libraries from across the country… some great ideas!

 

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram



If you missed this national funding opportunity, make sure to sign up to get alerts for next year's call for proposals. A great opportunity any library can apply to.

https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/info-2021/2021-grantees.html

This year's winning libraries include:

 

· Grand Forks: Grand Forks Public Library
The Intergenerational Music Playground will bring people of all ages, cultures and abilities together in an interactive and fun way that fosters community connections, inspires innovation and encourages curiosity.

· Malvern: Malvern-Hot Spring County Library
This project expands an existing Story Trail & Garden by adding planters, decorative seating and supplies — including outdoor easels for painting classes, and books for  summer reading baskets — to support library programs.

· Conyers: Conyers Rockdale Library System
Birdhouses and benches will be installed in a park adjacent to the public library.

· Readfield: Age-Friendly Readfield 
Funding will be used to create a kayak dock, provide outdoor seating at the library and local beach, and acquire equipment for curbside deliveries at the community food pantry.

· Boston: City of Boston
The Boston Public Library will add locations to its free, 24-hour Outdoor Wi-Fi Program so people can access high-speed internet services through workstations located outside of library buildings. 

· Rio Arriba County: Vallecitos Community Center and Library 
The addition of a covered walkway and footbridge will help make the community center and library safely accessible in all types of weather.

· Veneta: Fern Ridge Public Library
Challenge funds will be used to create a welcoming and safe public courtyard containing furniture created from a beloved Heritage Oak tree that once stood in the location.

· Providence: Providence Community Library
A library lawn will become the location of a staffed, resource-rich park featuring books, games, activities and technology services. 

· Richland County: Richland Library
Grant funds will be used to create an open-source "Let's Talk Race" curriculum that includes facilitation training and a digital tool kit for fostering productive conversations about race, bias, inclusivity and equality.

· Houston: North Houston Management District
As one of Houston’s first augmented reality (AR) installations, a new mural will help make the Aldine Branch Library a more engaging destination.

· Wolcott: Town of Wolcott
A new park located near the public library, town offices and a trailhead will connect the spaces and feature a community garden, a Wi-Fi hot spot, games, seating and tables.

· Snohomish: Friends of the Snohomish Library 
Funding will support the Snohomish Library Story Trail, an installation of 22 "stations" — each holding pages from a children's picture book — placed along the Centennial Trail.

· Buckhannon: Upshur County Public Library
This project will create a small parklet at the library to provide an appealing public green space that can be used and enjoyed by library patrons and community residents.

· Chilton: Chilton Public Library
A StoryWalk® is a fun, educational activity through which the pages of a children's book are posted along a popular walking route. Grant funds will be used to install bilingual stories at walkable locations around the community.

Noah Lenstra

Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science

University of North Carolina Greensboro

@NoahLenstra

 

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries • PO Box 33731, Seattle, Washington 98133, United States • 206-453-3579

Remove My Email •  Privacy Policy