Stanley — The D.R. Moon Memorial Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in 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 $20,000 grant that will help the library reach out to individuals experiencing hearing loss and their families and provide them with resources to help them with this challenge.

“This grant is a wonderful opportunity,” said Library Director Elizabeth Miniatt, “We are so excited to offer our health outreach project CARE–Creating Auditory Resources for Everyone—to our community.”

Director Miniatt also shared that library staff member, Colleen Danielson, was integral in developing the CARE project and applying for the grant. “Colleen is amazing. She is so dedicated to developing creative and important outreach initiatives for the library. CARE is just one example of the time and energy she puts into library work and outreach. Stanley is blessed to have her on our team!”

As part of the grant, D.R. Moon Library staff will take an online course in how to lead community conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host several of these community conversations with the public regarding hearing loss and use the grant funds to increase aural (auditory) health literacy.

Many in our community are impacted by hearing loss due to exposure to high levels of noise in rural and agricultural environments. Additionally, the majority of people will face hearing loss as they age. Families with hard-of-hearing children face challenges regarding hearing loss as well. In a society that does not account for those living with hearing loss, education and resources for hard of hearing and deaf individuals and their families are essential for our community’s physical safety and emotional wellbeing. 

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact library staff at 715-644-2004, or visit stanleylibrary.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: 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).”