Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in the fourth and final round 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 Lynden Library connect with the local Deaf/hard-of-hearing community to develop library-based programs. Content will be determined during discussions but might include ASL Storytime, parent training, in-person or online ASL conversation clubs, Deaf film nights, and events led by Deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
“We are proud to be chosen for this grant and excited to explore program ideas with the community,” says WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins. “This grant opens up conversations and creates possibilities to make all patrons feel welcome and comfortable at the library.”
As part of the grant, Lynden Library staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. They will also receive ASL training. Lynden staff will then host community conversations to generate ideas and use the grant funds to develop the programs. Grant funds will also support hiring ASL interpreters for library events and purchasing technology resources identified during community conversations.
“The library system provides interpretation services now by recognizing patron need and supporting ADA accommodation requests,” Perkins adds. “By opening new lines of communication, we hope to remove barriers to access, to establish partnerships, and to create opportunities beyond what we’ve imagined in the past.”
Community members who are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation should email accessibility@wcls.org.
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).