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ALA announces recipients of community engagement funding for small and rural libraries; MSC Southeast awarded "Libraries Transforming Communities" grant
College is one of six Minnesota institutions to receive an ALA grant, which will be used to enhance collection of materials focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion
Red Wing, MN (May 6, 2021) -- In April, the American Library Association (ALA) announced the recipients of nearly $1 million in funding for small and rural libraries, the second grant distribution as part of the association's Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries initiative.
Minnesota State College Southeast was one of six institutions in Minnesota chosen to receive a Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC) grant. Small and rural public libraries, academic libraries, and Learning Resource Centers from across the country were awarded a $3000 grant to facilitate community conversations and fund engagement projects.
The funding will enable libraries to lead community engagement efforts in more than 300 small and rural communities on topics like the COVID pandemic, mental health, public land use, the climate crisis and Black history. Grant funds may be used to cover a range of expenses, including staff time and collections and technology purchases.
"Our project is focused on acquiring collection materials focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will host two hy-flex (in-person and virtual) community conversations, open to all MSC Southeast students, faculty, and staff, to identify how we can best enhance our collection of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion resources available," explained MSC Southeast Academic Success Coordinator Arielle Pompilius.
She continued, "We will use the community knowledge generated by these conversations to purchase materials to add to our collection, which can be checked out by students, staff and faculty."
"Through community engagement, libraries are continuing their important work on literacy and access, while also working to fill gaps in other areas that may not have fallen to libraries in the past," said ALA President Julius C. Jefferson. "We are excited to provide the resources for hundreds of libraries to take on new challenges in their communities and look forward to seeing the great things they accomplish."
The 317 funded proposals -- public, academic, school/K-12, special and tribal libraries -- represent 45 U.S. states. Eligibility was limited to communities with populations less than 25,000 in accordance with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions.
Photo caption: Arielle Pompilius, Academic Success Coordinator at MSC Southeast's Red Wing Campus, successfully applied for a grant from the American Library Association.
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About Minnesota State College Southeast
Located in the historic river towns of Red Wing and Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast is a two-year technical and community college that prepares students for a lifetime of learning by providing education for employment, skill enhancement, retraining, and transfer. The Winona campus opened its doors in 1949; the Red Wing campus opened in 1973, merging with Winona in 1992. The two campuses now have distinctive characteristics but are one college in structure, policies, procedures, and mission. Both offer small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and an environment that is friendly and supportive. In addition, more than 30 majors are available online. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of Minnesota State. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.one.