Off the Shelf: Library to Have Community Roundtable to Learn How to Increase Accessibility
By Savanna Draper on October 25, 2023 from Off the Shelf
In May 2023, the Bridgeport Public Library was fortunate enough to be awarded $10,000 from the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant opportunity. To be eligible for this opportunity, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area.
We decided to apply for this grant to help better serve one of our largest patron populations—those patrons who are 50 years of age and older. Within our city, 43% of our population is 50 years or older (censusreporter.org.) We continue to make strides but realize that there are areas where this population is underserved in our library. Some older patrons are not able to physically come into the library, while others struggle with technology; this presents a need for services we would like to offer with this grant funding.
We currently offer programs and services to meet these needs including twice monthly Tech Savvy classes that cover a wide variety of topics including basic computer usage, video conferencing, cloud storage, and other technology topics, one-on-one tech support for devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, Home Delivery services for those who cannot come to the library in person, and visits to long-term care facilities. However, we strive to do more for this demographic, especially those who are unable to make it in to the library due to mobility issues.
In December 2022, we conducted a survey, both online and in print, asking this demographic what types of services and programs they would like to have and the barriers within those. We had responses from 106 individuals with multiple sharing that they do not feel comfortable using technology on their own and have mobility or transportation issues to come into the library. We relish the opportunity to encourage and equip them with the training and materials they need to be able to change their current trajectory of feeling inadequate and limited.
However, to do this in the most beneficial way, we need your help! On November 8 from 2:30-3:30 PM in the library conference room, join us for a Community Roundtable to share your thoughts and opinions about how we can increase the accessibility of our facilities, services, and programs. We will focus on how mobility, transportation, and technology barriers can be overcome for older adults who use our library services.
As an extra incentive, we will be hosting prize drawings of an HP laptop, Apple iPad Mini, and other tech gadgets. We really hope to see you there! To earn an extra entry for our prize drawing, please register for the Community Roundtable by visiting our website at bplwv.org/events.
