Grant Opportunity for Libraries – Community Conversations

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
From Talk to Action!

The Special Populations & Issues Committee of the Colorado State Library seeks 10-15 libraries to provide outreach to new, diverse groups by becoming part of “Community Conversations.”

Libraries are thriving active places where people come together for education, entertainment and information.  Does your library mirror your communities’ composition and interests?

What better way to practice inclusivity than by applying your skills to a  ‘Community Conversations‘ project?

Equip your library to use diversity materials in fostering broad-based conversations.

• Position your library as a leader to celebrate community diversity.
• Design a ‘Community Conversations’ project held between January and June 2009.
• Engage an underserved or diverse community; create diversity awareness, or serve a particular customer group such as differently-abled, immigrants, low income, older adults, non-native English speakers, varying ethnicities, religions, or sexual orientations.
• Create local events such as a diversity fair, a facilitated discussion, and book discussions  or speaker series.
• Feature local community leaders and partners as endorsers, speakers or participants.
• Foster dialogue and lifelong learning about cultural differences.
• Enable library and staff to celebrate and encourage diversity in their communities.

Any public, school, academic or special library in the state may apply.  Benefits include:

• Paired with a mentor with background in outreach and diversity/inclusivity.
• $500 to build diversity resources in your collection.
• Contact with statewide groups that specialize in diversity/inclusivity.
• Expert advice during the planning process.
• Serve as a mentor in 2009.

For Application Info: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/diversity/Committee-Info.htm
Applications due: 12/1/08 to Carlson_M@cde.state.co.us