The STLS Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC) is pleased to announce they have awarded funding to eleven STLS libraries through the 2017 Outreach Mini-Grant program.
COSAC is an advisory group made up of area individuals and human services professional representing these target populations:
- Seniors
- People who are Blind or who have a Physical Disability
- People who have a Developmental or Learning Disability
- Members of Ethnic or Minority Groups in need of special services
- People living in Institutionalized Settings
- People who are Educationally Disadvantaged
- People who are Unemployed or Underemployed or
- People who are Geographically Isolated.
COSAC works with STLS and its member libraries to ensure that these populations receive quality library service through equal access to a broad range of information and library materials.
The Outreach Mini-Grants are designed to encourage and support STLS member libraries in implementation or expansion of local library services to Coordinated Outreach populations. In addition to reviewing and funding applications, COSAC members make themselves available to serve as mentors to work with libraries in developing innovative and effective projects.
This year COSAC distributed funding to eleven STLS libraries. The funded projects include:
- Alfred Box of Books Library– Services & Collection Materials for the Muslim Community
- Belfast Public Library– Imprinted Tote Bags for Seniors & People with Disabilities
- Cohocton Public Library – Yoga Classes for Seniors
- David A. Howe Public Library (Wellsville) – Tai Chi Classes for Seniors
- Dormann Library (Bath) – Virtual Reality Experiences for Hospice & Palliative Care Patients
- Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library (Hammondsport) – Inter-generational Photography Classes for Seniors & Teens
- Prattsburg Free Library – Digital Literacy Instruction for Seniors
- Richburg Colonial Library – Art Classes for Seniors & the Developmentally Disabled
- Savona Free Library – Auto Mechanics Classes for Teens, Adults, & Seniors
- Wayland Free Library – Connecting Consumers, Families, & Services
- Whitesville Public Library – Reading Materials for Special Needs Children
The 2017 Outreach Mini-Grant applications covered a variety of services and targeted a number of underserved populations across the Southern Tier. COSAC is very excited to see the impact these projects will have on the residents of our area. Keep up the great work, STLS libraries!
