The Bristow 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 $20,000 grant that will help the library provide services to differentlyabled and neurodivergent individuals.
“We are thrilled to be chosen for a second year of grant funds,” said Executive Director Heather Hutto.
“The grant will continue to help us improve our services to ensure these underserved populations feel represented in our community.”
As part of the grant, BPL staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a community conversation with residents about challenges of those with disabling conditions and austism spectrum disorders, and use the grant funds to provide services to these underrecognized groups.
“Oklahoma ranks last in all fifty states for persons with autism, largely due to the lack of resources available in rural areas. Many local parents of children with autism have been asking for a public sensory space. We’re making that so with the state’s first ever rural autism support group,” Hutto said.
If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact LTC Grant Coordinator Kim England at (918) 367-6562, or visit https://www.bristowlibrary.o kpls.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).”