The Florida Public Library (FPL) has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities. The competitive award comes with a $3,000 grant.
The library, in partnership with Sustainable Warwick and the Warwick Repair Cafe, will be using the funds to conduct a conversation with the community on the topic of repairing and upcycling broken household items to keep them out of landfills and help preserve the local environment.
“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Madelyn Folino. “Our hope is to expand our Library of Things with tools and materials people can use to give their old or broken items new life, with the Repair Cafe providing expertise for those who are unsure how to go about such a project.”
The library recently acquired and made available for borrowing a Library of Things, a collection of useful items that members of the community might need on occasion but may not have the means or desire to spend money to purchase. This includes cooking supplies, electronics, video & board games, knitting kits, gardening supplies, and more. Most notable in FPL’s Library of Things is a Tool Library, containing a wide range of tools that community members can borrow for repairs or projects around the house.
All items in the Library of Things collection are list on the library’s website at www.floridapubliclibrary.org.
