| This grant to renovate and rejuvenate the Bookmobile’s interior and book collection has allowed WCPL to improve the services and resources it offers through its Bookmobile outreach initiatives. Specifically, the project made improvements to traditional collections for books and materials on the Bookmobile and provided new technology/internet access for mobile research, job searches, and resume writing. The results of this grant will greatly increase WCPL’s capacity to offer more relevant, technological Bookmobile resources and services to our most remote and underserved citizens, which will positively impact hundreds of Washington County’s citizens.
The goal of this Bookmobile project is to address several specific needs in our rural community by providing the following: 1.Access to improved print collections and materials for all ages. 2.Access to databases and educational websites for personal, academic, or medical research, along with information professionals who can assist with searches. 3.Access to technology, high-speed internet, print services, and assistance in using technology. Although all of these services are available to the general public, this project will target people in our rural county most in need, especially senior citizens, citizens with physical and developmental disabilities, lower socio-economic level residents of remote areas who lack transportation and technology access, and other disadvantaged and underserved individuals and families. We anticipate that this project could reach 2,500 people or more in the first year now that the Bookmobile is getting back on the road. By focusing on the goal of improving our Bookmobile outreach and collection to include new resources and technology that can be shared on visits to the hospital, nursing home, senior nutrition centers, and communities along Bookmobile routes, WCPL can address needs in the most remote parts of our rural county and for underserved individuals in health facilities across the county. Bookmobile improvements now allow us to provide valuable research tools, informational books and online resources, wireless internet access, and databases, along with library staff assistance, to navigate complicated databases and websites. Thanks to new high-powered wifi equipment, WCPL staff can now assist citizens with job searches, resume writing and printing, test prep, and other tech-based needs out on the road. |
2023
COFFEEVILLE GYM ROOF
Thanks to Ala-Tom RC&D Council we were able to repurpose the use of the grant funds to repair the hard-wood floor, replace the sub-floor in the gym and replace broken windows and doors since the gym roof had already been replaced. Now that the gym has a new roof and these repairs we are looking forward to the building being put back to good use for our Community. Clarke-Impact and Sky Boxing are thrilled to be able to host new events this coming year. Thank you so much for your help in restoring this center and we plan to make it available for our community to use.
Monroe County Public Library Art Education Classes
Although the class was on hiatus for a time, for the third consecutive year, since opening back up after COVID, the Monroe County Public Library has hosted Crafts & Coffee Adult Art Education Classes. Recently, we added a second class that meets every other month called pART2 . pART2 is geared toward those adult art students who have a basic grasp of most techniques and need more challenges. This class is a more advanced class than C&C. And proof that with the help of Ala-Tom RC&D, we are growing!
Students in the adult art education classes, combined, created a 24-foot-long plywood framed Christmas mural last October, November and December. The mural was displayed in front of the library for the month of December and through the first week in January. Together, they created an entire village scene representing their ideas of what Charles Dickens would have referenced in A Christmas Carol. The library provided solar lighting for the mural, and it garnered quite a bit of attention from residents of Monroe County.
No one had done this in the past, and we were pleased and proud to thank Ala-Tom RC&D on the signage we placed in front of the beautiful creation.
The Council should also know that we remind our art students frequently that our classes could not take place in the amazing manner in which we are able to offer them without Ala-Tom RC&D’s generous support. Some of the adult art students were attendees prior to 2020, and recall how lacking their supplies were, both before COVID and right after we reconvened. Once Ala-Tom RC&D began helping us purchase professional art supplies, the difference was undeniable. By upgrading our supplies, we are giving our students the same opportunities they would get if they were paying for classes. Not surprising, that makes a world of difference!
The library also hosts two teen art education classes each month. Painting With A Purpose teen art education classes are held in partnership with the Monroe County Children’s Policy Council. The attendees of this class represent young beginner artists through very advanced artists. Initially, it began as an opportunity for “at risk” youth to have an outlet for their pent-up energy. However, it has evolved into much more than that. Today it draws children from all over the county, crosses over all levels of learning abilities, and represents children who have had behavioral issues in the past, as well as children that never have. Because of their differences, these children might not ever cross paths, except for this class.
Because all the work the teens create belongs to them, they were given an opportunity to sell their wares at the Monroeville Market last November. With the help of their adults, many of our children brought some items they created in class along with items they created at home to sell at the holiday market. The library provided a tent with tables and the Children’s Policy Council covered the entry fee. PWaP teens learned how to display and market their items, negotiate with buyers, act with professionalism, and sell their wares. This was an outstanding way Ala-Tom RC&D’s investment went out of the classroom, to the next level, and gave our children a sense of pride in themselves many had not felt before. In fact, we have had several of them ask if we can repeat that again this November.
The success of these programs has far exceeded our expectations. With funding from Ala-Tom RC&D Council, coupled with donations from Monroe County United Way, Monroe County Children’s Policy Council and private donors, these classes continue to grow and reach a variety of participants from throughout our county.
Packer’s Bend Times
The newspaper project is a joint effort between the Packer’s Bend community local PACERS chapter and Dr. John Shelton, Executive Director of the PACERS Cooperative, a non-profit organization whose objective is, and has been for the past thirty-seven years, to support and strengthen rural schools and communities. Our goal is to publish 3 or 4 paper each year. Our local papers are still being authored by community residents, both current and past, and it is printed by The Monroe Journal, the county’s newspaper.
Pine Apple Park Playground Phase I
This project will provide a public playground in Pine Apple. This park will serve tourist as well as East Wilcox County. We hope to encourage outdoor activity and a fun social environment. Plans are being made to expand the park in the future.