The ICC Library has been selected as one of 310 libraries to participate in round two 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.
The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library transform an area in the library for a quiet individual area for study and test taking. It will also equip this area with a variety of software and technology that will assist students with a variety of tools to help them succeed.
“We are excited to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Sara Owen, Director of Library Services. “This grant will allow us to create a quiet and accommodating study space for our neurodivergent students and provide adaptive technology and software to those who need it.”
As part of the grant, ICC staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a conversation with students, staff and patrons about the new space and the technology included in the space.
ICC, like many other colleges, is seeing an increase in the number of students with ADHD, anxiety, and other neurodivergent needs. The ability to create a separate, quiet, and monitored space within the open space of the larger library will provide invaluable services to those who need that environment. The space will be equipped with two learning stations which will include computers with ADA keyboards and other software accommodations. It will also be equipped with cameras to allow testing.
If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Sarah Owen at sowen@indycc.edu, or visit https://www.indycc.edu/learning/library for more information.
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).”