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March 20, 2025
Woodward Public Library Receives National Grant for Small and Rural Libraries
Woodward Public Library Receives National Grant for Small and Rural Libraries
$10,000 Grant Will Help the Library Work with Residents with Disabilities to Increase Accessibility to Building and Events
$10,000 Grant Will Help the Library Work with Residents with Disabilities to Increase Accessibility to Building and Events
Woodward, OK — The Woodward Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in round three of 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 $10,000 grant that will help the library address building accessibility issues and replace Community Room furniture to improve accessibility and increase the participation of library users with mobility disabilities.
“We are incredibly proud to be chosen once again for this wonderful opportunity,” said Library Director Connie Terry. “This third round of funding will provide our library with an additional grant to help us continue the work we began in the first round. It allows us to invest in accessible furniture and make improvements to the building, creating a truly inclusive library experience for users with mobility disabilities. We are committed to breaking down barriers and fostering a love of learning for everyone.”
As part of the grant, Woodward Public Library staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a conversation with residents about the library’s accessibility and use the grant funds to address plan to improve the library facility and furniture.
The library serves as a cornerstone of community engagement, and this grant will directly address the urgent need to remove physical barriers that limit participation and building accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges.
If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Andrea Davis at adavis@woodward.lib.ok.us, 580-254-8544, or visit woodwardlibrary.okpls.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).”
The Woodward Public Library is a cornerstone of the Woodward community, providing vital resources and programs for people of all ages. Committed to lifelong learning, the library offers a wide selection of books, audiobooks, eBooks, and other digital resources. The library also hosts a variety of programs, events, and activities for children, teens, and adults. The Woodward Public Library is dedicated to fostering a love of reading, promoting literacy, and providing access to information for all.
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