We are thrilled to share some exciting news that directly impacts you and our entire community! Wickson District Library has recently been awarded the prestigious American Library Association (ALA) Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant. Out of 310 libraries nationwide, we are honored to be chosen for this remarkable opportunity.
This competitive grant, with a $10,000 award, will empower us to create an Accessibility Support Collection designed to better serve individuals with disabilities in our community. Imagine a library where everyone, regardless of abilities, can access resources and programs tailored to their needs.
Our Library Director, Michelle Duclos, expressed her pride in this achievement, stating, "This grant will allow our library to expand our offerings to meet the needs of the many individuals who utilize the library. It will help us improve our services to ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in our space."
As part of the grant, our staff will undergo training in leading conversations, a crucial skill for today's library work. We're eager to hear from you, our valued patrons, in connection conversations where we'll gather input on the items that should be included in our Accessibility Collection. Your feedback will guide us in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
But that's not all! In addition to this national recognition, we're delighted to announce that Wickson District Library has received two local grants from the Wickon-Link Memorial Fund and the Allen E. and Marie A. Nickless Memorial Foundation. These grants will establish the Wickson Library Literacy Hub, another initiative benefiting our community.
The Literacy Hub aims to address a critical need within our community – literacy development. We are committed to supporting the Science of Reading, an evidence-based approach to reading instruction. The grant will fund a comprehensive Decodable and Phonics book collection, providing essential resources for literacy development. This collection is not only for beginner readers but also for older students facing reading challenges.
Decodable books are vital in early literacy instruction, aligning with systematic phonics to build strong reading foundations. We plan to purchase a diverse collection of decodable books, including beginner decodables and chapter books for higher elementary grades. Additionally, parents will be provided with resources such as proper phonic scope and sequence materials, workbooks, and handouts.
Wickson Library aims to be a pivotal literacy partner in our community, offering the most comprehensive tools to address literacy needs. By providing evidence-based resources and support, we aspire to be at the forefront of helping children learn to read effectively, ensuring a brighter future for our young readers.
We invite you to get involved in the conversation! We will be hosting a community conversation to assess the specific needs and wants of the Accessibility Collection. If you have ideas or thoughts on what should be included in our Accessibility Collection or want to be part of the Community focus group, please contact Michelle Duclos at 989-652-8323.
Thank you for being an integral part of our library community. Together, we're transforming how our library serves you and our wonderful community.