Bonham Public Library receives national grant for small and rural libraries

The $10,000 grant will help the library work with residents with disabilities on making the library more accessible.

Bonham, Texas -- Bonham Public Library has been selected as one of 310 libraries nationwide 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 $10,000 grant that will help the library make the library more accessible by installing automatic front doors, automatic study room doors, adding a handrail on the side and/or installing a ramp in the front.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Jennifer Reeves. “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.”

As part of the grant, Bonham Public Library staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host an in person and virtual conversation with residents about their thoughts on how they would like to see the grant funds used to improve the building facilities for easier access for those with disabilities.

Creating an accessible and inclusive environment is essential for supporting individuals with disabilities. Introducing accessibility measures into a building can significantly benefit these individuals and make the building more inclusive. Over the years the staff have helped individuals open and hold the heavy front doors, assisted individuals up and down the stairs, and helped others navigate the study room doors. Through this amazing opportunity we will finally be able to address one or more of these issues.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Jennifer Reeves at jreeves@cityofbonham.org, or visit www.bonhamlibrary.net 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).”