From ICMA:
Once an institution devoted to book circulation, the public library is evolving. A recent study of the members of ICMA, the premier local government leadership and management organization, found some communities are using their public libraries for compelling new projects, such as providing services for teens, immigrant residents, recycling, health, and public safety.
During the next two years, with the help of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ICMA plans to encourage adoption of more such leading practices among local governments and demonstrate the value of public libraries as a vital tool in supporting community sustainability through the ICMA Public Library Innovation Grant. Local governments can employ these grants to develop new and creative ways of using their public library to deliver services in areas such as public safety, disaster preparedness, sustainability, health, immigration, civic engagement, and economic development.
Um, hello? That is awesome. Individual grants will range from $20K- $60K with a total of $500K being provided for the program. It looks like they’re really trying to encourage local governments to look at libraries as a direct link to their communities and to get creative with using those links to address important local issues.
Hopefully I can drum up some interest around here so we can move forward with applying. I would love to implement either some kind of literacy program with a focus on native Spanish speakers or something related to educating the community on sustainable living. There’s a great little community garden on 7th Street where residents can sign up for a plot and grow their own fruits and veggies. They even grew cotton one year! Some of them take their produce home to their families, some of them take it to local markets to sell, and some of them donate it to those who need it more. Seems like that could be a great starting place and a great model for bigger projects down the line.
. The deadline is January 9th of next year.
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