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“The Streator Public Library provides material and information to help all community residents fulfill their personal and educational needs.” - Streator Public Library Mission Statement
It has been many decades since the Streator Public Library Trustees decided what purpose we have, but those words still ring true. Thanks to the support from RAILS My Library Is… Grant, we were able to provide life-changing and even life-saving material and information to our patrons this year. Expanding library resources for survivors of domestic abuse was a project that was completely embraced by me, the staff, the trustees, and the community.
The idea for this project came about because of two very specific instances that happened within days of each other. One day a parent came into the library with their small child. They had just left their home. They needed help. I was able to reach our local domestic violence shelter and they were able to help them. I quickly realized that we had nothing else that would help them. Nothing.
A few days later, a local attorney emailed me looking for self-help books on domestic violence specifically for a client of his. Once again, I came up short. This was not good enough. Later that week, I saw that the application window for this grant was open, and I was grateful for the chance to rectify the gap in our services.
With the help of the grant, the Streator Public Library was able to expand our collection with dozens of books focused on domestic abuse awareness, healing, and recovery. These books address recognizing unhealthy relationships, rebuilding confidence, trauma recovery, and planning for a safer future.
It was important to us that the materials reflected the reality that domestic abuse affects people from many different backgrounds and relationships. Our new materials address the experiences of those in queer relationships and marginalized communities. Everyone deserves to see their situation represented in the information they are seeking.
In addition to books, we also purchased survivor journals and guided workbooks. These were made available for patrons to take with them. These items allow survivors to reflect, organize their thoughts, and begin to reclaim their own story. We have already seen these quietly taken by patrons who needed them, and that alone shows the value of having them available.
One of the most impactful things we were able to purchase through this grant was mobile hotspots for checkout. Reliable internet access is something many people take for granted, but for someone trying to leave a dangerous situation, it can be essential.
The grant also allowed us to host a program in partnership with Safe Journeys, an organization which provides several services to help domestic abuse survivors. During this event, participants decorated tote bags while learning about the importance of having a “go bag” prepared and accessible. Advocates spoke about the steps someone can take if they ever need to leave a dangerous situation quickly and safely. Participants were able to take their decorated tote bags home along with several useful items to place inside them. We also provided handouts listing essential phone numbers, local resources, and important information so that help could always be within reach.
We had several regular patrons attend, some for the chance to do a craft, but some were there for the information. Two of the people there told me that they came specifically so they could learn more and pass the information along to friends they believed were at risk. That kind of awareness is exactly what we hope for. When people have the right information, they can help protect themselves and others.
Grants like the My Library Is… Grant allow libraries to directly help the most vulnerable people. In this case, it helped us provide resources, education, and access that make a real difference. The Streator Public Library strives to be a place where people can come not only for books, but also for support, information, and hope. Now we can do that better than ever before.
By providing better, up-to-date material, survivor resources, improved internet access, and developing community partnership with local shelters, we can ensure that survivors and their loved ones know that help and information can always be found at the library.
Today's blog post was written by Melissa Badger, Director at Streator Public Library.
This project was made possible by the My Library Is... Grant.