The Marshall County Public Library has recently been awarded a $10,000 programming grant from the Kentucky Humanities Council, funding that will allow the library to provide programming to people of all ages throughout the summer while staying healthy at home during COVID-19.
Library director Tammy Blackwell said the funds will go toward providing materials and humanities-based programs to children, teens, and adults in the Marshall County community, ensuring the library remains inclusive for those who do not have internet access or devices.
“Programming is one of the cornerstones of who we are and what we do for our community,” Blackwell said. “This grant allows us to continue to make engaging our community in fun and educational activities a priority despite being unable to come together this summer.”
Although the library is still in the early phases of planning the kits, which will contain a variety of take-home activities, they should be available to patrons within the next few weeks.
Kentucky Humanities CARE Act Grants are provided through funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES act economic stabilization plan appropriated by the U.S. Congress. The goal is to ensure cultural organizations continue to thrive during a public health crisis and help ensure future success.
As one of 85 cultural organizations to receive the grant in the state, Blackwell said the library is grateful for the opportunity to put their ideas for creative inclusion into practice this summer.
“We are thankful to the Kentucky Humanities Council for making these funds available and allowing us to serve Marshall County in this way,” she said.
For updates on take-home kits, visit marshallcolibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.