Decorah Public Library Selected for National Rural Libraries Initiative

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. DECORAH — Decorah Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in the fourth and final round of "Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities," an initiative of the American Library Association that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries serving people with disabilities. The award includes a $10,000 grant that will help the library update its children's audiobook collection with more accessible formats. "We are so proud to be chosen once again for this opportunity from the ALA," Children's and Young Adult Librarian Sophie Nall said. "This grant will help our library provide children of all abilities with contemporary, accessible audiobooks." As part of the grant, Decorah Public Library staff will take an online course on leading community conversations. Staff members will also host a conversation with school-aged residents about their wishes for the library and use the grant funds to reflect those preferences in book selections. Grant funds will support the purchase of audiobooks in formats such as audio-enabled books, which allow readers to hear the story while reading, and digital audiobook players, a screen-free alternative to digital audiobook sources. 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). Make your inbox your go-to for local news! Sign up for the free newsletter and get timely updates, special features, and more.