Greetings from Caledonia Public Library! Caledonia, MN
The Caledonia Public Library’s vision for their Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces transformation is truly multi-generational and multi-use. Through participation in this project and community input, library director Ashley Dress has developed several ideas of bringing active learning to the library. Open mic nights and poetry slams, a space for creating and displaying art and a smart board for community presentations are just a few of the ideas she came up with. According to Dress, the goal is to create a space that will be used by patrons from all generations. “We hope to allow for meetings or presentations from our business community, have a designated space for story times, create a space where teens can play games and where adults can sit in comfortable chairs and have conversations around a variety of topics.”
The 15 small and rural libraries participating in the Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces project are hard at work transforming their chosen spaces into ones that incorporate active learning and meet the needs of their communities. To share their progress, we have imagined postcards that participants might be sending to their communities. Take a look at the great projects taking shape!
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Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces
Fifteen small U.S. public libraries were selected to participate in the Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces project. The selected libraries are:
Caledonia Public Library, Caledonia, Minnesota
Cornwall Public Library, Cornwall, New York
Glenns Ferry Public Library, Glenns Ferry, Idaho
Greenwich Free Library, Greenwich, New York
Honey Grove Library & Learning Center, Honey Grove, Texas
Hot Springs Library, Hot Springs, North Carolina
Ignacio Community Library, Ignacio, Colorado
James Kennedy Public Library, Dyersville, Iowa
Madison Public Library, Madison, South Dakota
Norelius Community Library, Denison, Iowa
Punxsutawney Memorial Library, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Ronan Library District, Ronan, Montana
Town Creek Public Library, Town Creek, Alabama
Tucker Free Library, Henniker, New Hampshire
Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library, Wilton, New Hampshire
This two-year project is made possible by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and is implemented in partnership by WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.