Libraries Without Borders

LIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS WILL CONDUCT A TWO-YEAR PROJECT TO REFINE AND ASSESS PARTNERSHIP MODELS BETWEEN PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND COIN LAUNDROMATS ACROSS THE NATION USING ITS WASH AND LEARN INITIATIVE (WALI). WALI ENABLES LIBRARIES TO OFFER EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY, DIGITAL LITERACY, AND INFORMATION ACCESS SERVICES INSIDE LAUNDROMATS. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL REFINE THE EXISTING MODEL AND TOOLS, DRAWING ON PAST WORK IN EIGHT STATES, AND CONTINUE TO SCALE AND EVALUATE THE MODEL WITH ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY, ALLEGHENY COUNTY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, AND THE MINNESOTA STATE LIBRARY SERVICES. THE WALI PROJECT WILL DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE A TOOLKIT WITH A SET OF RESOURCES INCLUDING ACCESS TO CASE STUDIES, WEBINARS, AND LOGISTICAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE TO ANY LIBRARY SYSTEMS THAT WANT TO IMPLEMENT WALI IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

LIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS PROPOSES TO DEVELOP A CAPACITY-BUILDING MODEL FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND NONPROFITS TO PROMOTE DIGITAL INCLUSION AND MEANINGFUL BROADBAND ADOPTION IN MANUFACTURED HOUSING COMMUNITIES (MOBILE HOME PARKS). THE PROJECT PROPOSES A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY, MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ROC USA, AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION WILL SET-UP A DIGITAL LITERACY LAB IN THE STORM SHELTER OF THE PARK PLAZA COOPERATIVE IN FRIDLEY, MINNESOTA. THROUGH THIS INFORMAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, BROADBAND INTERNET, AND DIGITAL LITERACY TRAINING. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND NONPROFITS WITH A BEST PRACTICES TOOLKIT DESIGNED TO FOSTER THE EXPANSION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF DIGITAL INCLUSION EFFORTS IN MANUFACTURED HOUSING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION.

TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING COSTS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.