Pickaway Library Receives $20,000 Grant

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(Circleville) – Pickaway County 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.

Part of the competitive award is a $20,000 grant that will help the library become more accessible to people with disabilities. With the help of the Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, a community need for an adult changing table was identified prior to submitting the grant request. This universal changing station will be the first in our county to be accessible seven days a week in a public building.

The grant will also cover accessible computer equipment for public computers, American Sign Language training for library staff, and adaptive tools for arts and crafts programs. In the grant application, PCL requested resources to plan a public program that will facilitate community conversations about disability advocacy.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Drew Wichterman. “This grant will allow our library to get to know our residents with disabilities better. It will help us improve our services to ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in our space.”

The $20,000 grant to Pickaway County Library was one of only 50 given nationwide in a very competitive grant cycle. Grants of $10,000 are going to 260 libraries covering 45 U.S. states. Eligibility was limited to communities with populations less than 25,000 that are located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in accordance with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions.

“With this grant funding, PCL will be more accessible to groups who currently wish to use the library and participate in programs, but they don’t because the library does have the right accommodations in place,” Wichterman said.

As part of the grant, Pickaway County Library staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a conversation with local residents about advocating for individuals with disabilities.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Drew Wichterman at director@pickawaylib.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.

The Pickaway County Library serves all of Pickaway County with locations in Circleville and Ashville, as well as a Bookmobile. Library services include loaning physical and electronic materials, children’s storytimes and programs for all ages, including adults and teens.

“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).”