Raymond Village Library receives American Library Association grant

Raymond Village Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in the fourth and final round 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.

Raymond Village Library has been awarded a $10,000 grant
that will help the library improve digital accessibility by
purchasing screen readers and screen magnification
software for public computers and working toward making
the library's website ADA compliant. FILE PHOTO   

The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library improve digital accessibility by purchasing screen readers and screen magnification software for public computers and working toward making the library’s website ADA compliant.

“We are so proud to be chosen again for this amazing opportunity,” said Raymond Village Library Director Richard Dowe. “This additional round of funding builds on our previous accessibility work, allowing us to improve both physical and digital access to the library. From enhancing our walkway for residents with mobility challenges to expanding screen readers, magnification tools, and website accessibility, these projects help ensure that everyone in our community can fully access and benefit from our services.”

As part of the grant, Raymond Village Library staff will take an online course on how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today, Dowe said. Staff will then host a conversation with residents about digital accessibility and the needs of individuals with visual disabilities and use the grant funds to implement accessibility improvements both in the library and online.

Access to digital resources is essential for participating in daily life, from applying for jobs to accessing government services and educational materials. By improving accessibility, the library is helping ensure that residents with visual disabilities can fully engage with these critical resources.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Dowe at 207-655-4283, or visit www.raymondvillagelibrary.org for more details.

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). <