(Atlantic, Iowa) —The Atlantic Public Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in 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 address accessibility concerns in the building.

“I am thrilled to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Michelle Andersen, director of the library. “This grant will allow our library to connect with people of all abilities while addressing issues with elevator reliability.”

As part of the grant, Andersen will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. She will then host a conversation with residents about physical accessibility inside the library. “I wrote the grant to help pay for elevator modernization to lessen the burden for the city but we’ll host community conversations first to hear from our public if the elevator should be our highest priority right now.”

Atlantic Public Library

Andersen continued, “The training and resources that come with the grant are really opening my eyes to ways we can further serve people with disabilities. Our library will definitely benefit from this grant beyond the initial project.”

The first conversation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 at 10:30 am. People with mobility accommodation needs are especially encouraged to attend. If you are interested in getting involved or for more information, please contact Michelle Andersen at atlanticpubliclibrary@gmail.com or 243-5466 ext.3.

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.