Wayne County Public Library receives two grants

The Wayne County Public Library has received two grants from the state.

The library has been awarded a $44,902.00 LSTA EZ Grant to be used for the Creative Aging Program. This grant is made possible by funding from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of North Carolina.

The Creative Aging project is designed to expand library services and promote lifelong learning to persons ages 55 and up. “The library chose the Creative Aging program because this arts education program honors older adults as creative and social learners and helps shift the narrative about growing older away from a negative view to one of optimism, engagement in the community, and joy,” said Library Director Donna Phillips.

“We at the Arts Council of Wayne County truly believe that ‘Art is for All!’ We are honored that the Wayne County Public Library chose us as a partner to bring high-quality arts programming to the 55-plus community,” said Arts Council Programs Director Anna Hinson.

The library will use grant funds to provide training and coaching to teaching artists, librarians and arts council staff. The training will be conducted by Lifetime Arts, a national arts service organization that offers a positive, modern, artistic and social lens through which to serve, inspire and engage a growing population of older adults.

For more information about the Creative Aging Program, contact Phillips at (919) 735-1880.

The library has also been awarded a $50,000 LSTA EZ Grant to be used for the Learning Studio Project. This grant is made possible by funding from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of North Carolina.

“This project will provide equitable access to children ages 4-13 with learning differences such as Dyslexia, ADHD other specified learning disorders, or who otherwise struggle with reading and writing. The project will provide the library an opportunity to assist in addressing learning loss recovery for children with specific learning disorders, through the creation of a resource center with workshops, resource guides, and resources that will support these children and their parents,” said Assistant Library Director Maegen Wilson.

“Wayne County Public Schools Exceptional Children’s Department is looking forward to the collaboration with Wayne County Public Library as community partners continually striving to provide educational information, opportunities for all Wayne County stakeholders with training and professional development, and increasing the knowledge of the citizens of our county,” said Wayne County Public Schools Exceptional Children Executive Director Sonja Emerson.

Modeled after Richland Library’s Education Studio, WCPL will launch the Learning Studio, a resource center housed in the Goldsboro Library’s children’s department. This resource center will use research and evidence based curriculums to support families who have children with specific learning disabilities. The library will create monthly programming for parents and caretakers that will include but is not limited to support groups, strategy trainings from professionals, identification information, and IEP support from Wayne County Public Schools. These programs will be designed to provide parents and caretakers with the tools and strategies they need to help their children increase their reading and comprehension skills while allowing parents to converse with each other in a supportive environment.” 

The 2023-2024 Library Services and Technology Act grants include 48 awards for local library projects that advance excellence and promote equity through community engagement, equitable access, and responsive organizations in North Carolina’s libraries. 

For more information about the Learning Studio Project, contact Maegen Wilson, Assistant Library Director at (919) 580-4014.

— From Wayne County Public Information