Jamaica public library will host at Community Conversation Tuesday, June 22, at 6 pm at the Jamaica Community Center, 322 Main St, Jamaica.
Topic of the Community Conversation is the unused second floor of the library building at 316 Main St. Time will also be allotted to discuss other possible improvements to downtown Jamaica.
The conversation will be facilitated by Alan Robinson, Jamaica library director. Robinson has participated in online training provided by the American Library Association (ALA) as part of a grant awarded to the library, “Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries.” The grant program provides support for libraries to take the lead in affecting change in their communities.
The evening will begin with a complimentary meal at 6 pm with the discussion program to begin at 6:30 pm.
“This grant will help us bring community members together to discuss how to improve the use of our building and to gain input on how we can work together to bring other improvements to Main Street and throughout the community,” said Robinson.
“Our library patrons have already stepped up with some terrific ideas for re-purposing the unused second story of our building, such as creating a museum, office space, or a shared work space environment,” said Robinson. “We want to cast a wider net throughout the Jamaica community and get more ideas to discuss both the building and Main Street.”
As project director, Robinson has participated in three webinars that support the Libraries Transforming Communities process and an online training program for facilitating discussions.
Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.
Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is an initiative of the ALA in collaboration with the American Association for Rural and Small Libraries.
