The Crown Point Community Library is pleased to announce it has received a $76,338 grant from the Crown Point Community Foundation. The Foundation introduced the “Big Idea, Big Impact” grant opportunity to non-profit organizations in January 2016. These funds will allow the library to expand literacy and library outreach services to the Crown Point and Winfield Township communities.
“The Library is thrilled to be able to extend its outreach further into the community as a result of receiving this generous grant award from the Crown Point Community Foundation. The Library looks forward to implementing our BIG IDEAS in order to serve the community in a bigger way.” said Julie Wendorf, Adult Programming and Outreach Librarian.
Our BIG IDEA, funded by the grant, is both a partnership and collaborative effort in the community consisting of three compatible outreach activities that support literacy and increase library access for people of all ages:
Outreach to Literacy organizations - The Conlon Community Literacy Center (CCLC)
The Crown Point Library will repurpose the James C. Conlon Periodical Room in the Crown Point location. The new space will house the Crown Point Adult Learning Center and their activities, as well as provide space (free of charge) to other literacy based organizations and providers. The magazines and newspapers will be relocated to another area without negative impact to patron services.
Outreach to the Community and Underserved Populations - The Mobile Library
The library will purchase a customized van with promotional vinyl warp featuring the library’s image, motto and website. This van will function as a mobile library, and will be equipped to market and deliver library materials and services to the community. “Library In A Box” program will be introduced to participant locations as requested, primarily senior center/living facilities and daycare/preschools. The Mobile Library will also be used to capitalize upon outreach efforts at local community events and allow us to provide mobile circulation and registrations of new library patrons.
Connecting Communities: Library Courier Services
The Library van will provide transportation of materials between the main library location and its branch and creates delivery service that optimizes the use of library materials. The highly decorated van will highlight the library’s presence within the community and provide optimized advertising and marketing of the library, while improving services between the two communities of the library district.