Bridgton Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities.
The competitive award comes with a $3,000 grant that will help the library work with local nonprofits and agencies to support Workforce and Small Business Development.
“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity to participate in a nation-wide program to support local communities,” said Library Director Amy Stone. “This grant will allow our library to know our residents better and help us build a happier and healthier community for our families.”
As part of the grant, Bridgton Public 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 residents about workforce development and small business needs and use the grant funds to better coordinate and share resources available here in our community.
As we know, the economy and the nature of work impacts every facet of life. By working together we can identify workforce training and small business development needs and resources in our community to develop a stronger and better network for families in the Bridgton area.
If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Amy Stone at bridgtonlibrary@gmail.com, or visit www.bridgtonlibrary.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: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).”