Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

$20,000 in Grants Will Add Inclusive Equipment to the Jackson Parish Library Park for Residents with Disabilities in Jonesboro and Chatham, Louisiana. Jonesboro, LA — The Jackson Parish Library branches in Jonesboro and Chatham have been selected as 2 of the 240 libraries across the nation to participate in 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. Each branch applied for and received $10,000 and will use the funds to acquire inclusive equipment to be installed in a park setting next to the respective branches. The awards in Jackson Parish account for 2 of 3 given in the state of Louisiana. A full list can be found here: https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/access/libraries The Parents/Caregivers of Exceptional Children is a parish wide support group for parents and caregivers of special needs that meet once a month. Group leader Sabrina Villarreal stated “There is not a place in our parish that is inclusive and most families do not have the luxury of traveling to another parish.” The Jackson Parish Library branches lie in the heart of our rural communities and are the ideal places for inclusive library parks. These parks will serve as a multigenerational meeting area for all regardless of age or disability. This competitive award of $10,000 will add equipment from the Miracle ® Museum ™ collection to the new Jackson Parish Library Park in Jonesboro. These pieces are sensory based playground equipment that are designed with wheelchair accessibility to ensure that everyone is given the chance to explore the environment. The $10,000 grant awarded to the Chatham branch will be used to create an inclusive and immersive music and butterfly park. Raised gardens will provide native flora to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Musical instruments, such as the PercussionPlay® Rainbow Trio Ensemble of Bongos, Chime and Metallophone, and a Sunflower Petal Drum will be added for the enjoyment of everyone. “We are so honored to have been chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Floyd Knox. “This grant will allow our library to get to know our residents with disabilities better. It will help us improve our services to ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in our space.” As part of the grants, Jackson Parish Library staff will take online courses in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a public planning event and conversation with the residents of each community about improving services, facilities, and programs for people with disabilities.