The Ardmore Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries across the United States to take part in an upcoming American Library Association (ALA) initiative aimed at better serving residents with disabilities.

The library will receive grant funding as part of the third round of the ALA initiative, known as “Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities.” The program is intended to provide community engagement and accessibility resources for small and rural libraries to help enrich their services for people with disabilities.

The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library make accessibility improvements. Proposed improvements include a power-assisted front door opener, accessible circulation desk, and additional accessible materials including large print books and audiobooks.

The library invites community members to join them for a “Community Forum” on Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m. Library Director Tina O’Driscoll, Library Board Chair, Ardmore (Tennessee) Vice-Mayor Wayne Harvell, and library staff will share these proposed improvements at this meeting. Additionally, they will ask community members what accessibility improvements they would suggest as the library works to prioritize community and library needs prior to moving forward with their implementation.

“We are excited to be chosen for this opportunity,” said O’Driscoll in a release. “This grant will allow our library to improve our services to ensure those with disabilities are welcome and supported in our library.”

The free Ardmore Public Library card provides access to over 25,000 books and resources on site, alongside access to thousands of books through Interlibrary loan (sharing books between libraries in Tennessee) and thousands of audio and e-books through the Libby app.

Free internet access also is available 24 hours a day from the library parking lot and via its computers during normal business hours. Pick up a copy of the library’s monthly newsletter, Community Connections, for more detailed information about free library events and programs.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the American Library Association in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).

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.

Find out more about the Ardmore Public Library and its programs at the library’s website here.