The Jamaica Library recently received a $3,000 grant from the American Library Association. The library was one of 200 libraries across the country to participate in the Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries. This is an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities. Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities.

The grant that will help the library start a community-wide discussion on developing the unused second story of the building. This is also a part of initiative to make improvements to not only the library but other parts of Main Street in Jamaica as well according to library director Alan Robinson.  

“This grant will help us bring community members together to discuss how to improve the use of our building and to gain input on how we can work together to bring other improvements to Main Street and throughout the community,”

Library director Alan Robinson also spoke about his excitement for the project and the library as a whole. “It also allows us funds to start work on upgrading and remodeling the second story space. We are really excited about getting this project moving forward.”

As project director, Robinson is participating in three webinars that support the Libraries Transforming Communities process and an online training program for facilitating discussions.