Pembroke Library Association is Awarded a
Grant for Community Outreach.

January 2023  The Pembroke Library’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has received a grant of $7200.00 from the Association of Rural and Small Libraries, Sustainable and Resilient New England Libraries, to enhance its outreach programs during 2023.

The Mission Statement of the Pembroke Public Library is, “ Provide a convenient place for all area residents and visitors to access information and materials for education, mental stimulation, and recreation.”  To meet this goal, the Library wishes to serve area residents and visitors in meaningful and relevant ways. Reflection by the Board of Directors and library volunteers led to the conclusion that three areas needed increased attention.

Patrons primarily use three services provided by the library: access to the Internet and computers, the children's programs, and the new books/bestsellers for check out. So the grant application focused on those three areas.

The grant will finance the purchase of two new computers, monitors, and a state of the art printer/scanner for patron use.  The children's programs will benefit from Eyewitness book purchases, additional Easy Readers, Montessori-type toys and supplies.  Many more bestselling fiction and nonfiction books will be purchased during 2023 than in previous years. The Library requested $7200.00 and was granted the full amount!

These projects are made possible by a grant from the Association for Rural & Small Libraries through the generosity of a regional partner foundation. The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) builds strong communities through professional development and elevating the impact of rural and small libraries.  ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of small and rural libraries and is committed to providing an environment that encourages excellence within this community of practice, supporting their goals of service and speaking on behalf of this important constituency. Since 1 in 3 public libraries in the U.S. serve a population of fewer than 2,500 people, there is a great opportunity to support these library professionals that are often overlooked. We believe in the value of rural and small libraries and strive to create resources and services that address national, state, and local priorities for libraries situated in rural communities.