Hopkinton Public Library Selected for National Grant

Hopkinton Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in round three of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities – it’s 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 $10,000 grant that will help the library implement a non-competitive youth sports league that will focus less on the fundamentals of sports and more on having fun and building social connections while reaping the benefits of physical activity. This grant is aimed at children who are neurodivergent and/or those wanting to connect with others in a fun and active environment without all the structure of traditional organized sports.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to see how this will benefit our community!” said Library Director Kim Albright. “This grant will allow our library to ensure this population can feel included and involved.”

As part of the grant, Hopkinton Public Library staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations – a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host an in-person conversation with residents to gauge interest, hear ideas and suggestions and will then use the grant funds to implement.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Kim at 563-926-2514 or visit the library 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).”