(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Director the Atlantic Public Library, this (Wednesday) evening, informed the Atlantic City Council, about a national grant the library has received. Michelle Andersen said the grant is from the American Library Association (ALA), and is for small and rural libraries, to help them be more accessible. Atlantic’s Library received a grant last year, as well.

Atlantic was one of 310 libraries selected to participate in round two of the Libraries Transforming Communities initiative. Part of the conditions to receiving the grant, is to hold a Community Conversation about ways the library can better serve persons who may have trouble accessing services the library provides, either because they don’t understand technology, or they have learning issues.

Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen (8-7-24_)

Some of the ideas she suggested in order to get the grant, include beginning a “Next Chapter Book Club.”

Everyone is invited to visit the library to attend one of the conversations, which will be offered: Tuesday, Aug. 13^th at 2-p.m.; Wed., Aug. 14^th, at 10-a.m., and Thursday, Aug. 15^th, at Noon. If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, and cannot attend one of the three meetings, please call Michelle Andersen at 712-243-5466, or email atlanticpubliclibrary@gmail.com

Atlantic City Council meeting, 8-7-24

In other business, the City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday evening took action on approving an Order to close certain streets in Atlantic on Saturday, Aug. 10th, for AtlanticFest. The list of streets can be found in our story posted Monday night on the kjan.com News page (See the list below if you missed it). The streets will be closed from 5-a.m. until 6-p.m.

The Council also passed a Resolution “Setting the date for a Public Hearing on a proposed Ordinance vacating the 66-foot wide street Right-Of-Way (ROW),” beginning west of the ROW line of Laurel Street extended, then west to the east property line of the Iowa Interstate Railroad (a parcel approx. .7″ of an acre). The request (Which was previously heard during the Council’s meeting on May 1st), was from property owner Rob Stamp, who wants to have additional access to his property by means of cutting the curb on the vacated area, pouring a driveway, and maintaining it as another entrance.

The Council also held and passed the 3rd and final reading of an Ordinance that rezones the Camblin Hills Subdivision from R-2 (Low Density/Single Family) residential to R-4 (Multifamily) residential. The first reading was passed during the Council’s meeting on July 10th.

In other business, the Council acted on an Order approving a bid from Tim Beadle, for 411 Birch Street, in the amount of $5,350. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee has endorsed his bid. City Councilperson Elaine Otte said Beadle intends to demolish the house currently on the property, and build a new, modern home. The final order of business is action on a proposal to move the Sept. 18th City Council meeting to Sept. 16th, due to the Annual Iowa League of Cities Conference.

Street closures for AtlanticFest:

• Chestnut Street (both lanes), from 6th to 7th St.
• Chestnut (both lanes), from 2nd to 6th.
• 6th Street (Both lanes) from Walnut to Chestnut.
• 6th Street (Both lanes) from Chestnut to Poplar.
• 5th Street from Chestnut to 1/2 block east of the alley before the Post Office.
• 5th Street from Chestnut to Poplar.
• 4th Street from Chestnut to 1/2 block east, right before the alley.
• 4th Street from Chestnut to Poplar.
• 3rd Street from Walnut to Poplar.

Walnut Street will remain open.