$10K grant to build on Erving Public Library’s work with neurodivergent patrons

Some Erving Public Library materials that were purchased with the “Libraries Transforming Communities” grant funds that patrons can use in the library and borrow to take home. There are fidget boards for adults, puzzles for a range of abilities, different kinds of coloring sheets, tablets and more.

Some Erving Public Library materials that were purchased with the “Libraries Transforming Communities” grant funds that patrons can use in the library and borrow to take home. There are fidget boards for adults, puzzles for a range of abilities, different kinds of coloring sheets, tablets and more. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ABIGAIL BAINES

Some Erving Public Library materials that were purchased with the “Libraries Transforming Communities” grant funds that patrons can use in the library and borrow to take home. There are fidget boards for adults, puzzles for a range of abilities, different kinds of coloring sheets, tablets and more.

Some Erving Public Library materials that were purchased with the “Libraries Transforming Communities” grant funds that patrons can use in the library and borrow to take home. There are fidget boards for adults, puzzles for a range of abilities, different kinds of coloring sheets, tablets and more. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ABIGAIL BAINES

Staff Report

Published: 04-22-2024 2:54 PM

Modified: 04-22-2024 4:57 PM

ERVING — The Erving Public Library is one of 310 libraries chosen to participate in the second round of “Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities,” an American Library Association initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to help small, rural libraries better serve people with disabilities.

The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library better serve local patrons who identify as neurodivergent. The term often refers to disabilities and different kinds of communication or cognitive functioning, including but not limited to autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the Erving Public Library, the “All-Abilities Socials” that were funded this past year by the first round of “Libraries Transforming Communities” grants, in this case for $20,000, have been well-attended. The gatherings, which started in October, include food, sensory activities and more low-key spaces that may have music and low lighting.

“We are so proud to be chosen again for this amazing opportunity,” Library Director Abigail Baines said in a statement. “This second round of funding will provide our library with an additional grant to help us continue what we started in the first round.”

As part of this latest grant, Erving Public Library 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 residents about being neurodivergent or helping people who are neurodivergent, and use the grant funding to organize more social activities and professional speaker events.

Those who are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation should come to the library on Wednesday, May 15, from 2 to 3 p.m. or 5 to 6 p.m. Contact Baines at 413-423-3348 or library@erving-ma.gov, or visit erving-ma.gov/library for more information.