The Ardmore Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries across the country to participate in round four of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library make accessibility improvements. Proposed options for improvement include: an accessible telehealth pod, or an accessible filtered water bottle filling station, adaptive technology resources for computers, other interactive developmental disability supports, and audiobooks and e-books for low vision and blind patrons.

The Ardmore Public Library received a $10,000 grant from the same organizational collaboration during round 3 of funding in 2025. This grant funded a power-assisted push-button front door opener and accessible computer and work station desks in the library.

The library staff invites community members to join them for a community forum at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, hosted by Library Director Tina O’Driscoll, and the Ardmore Public Library Board of Directors. At this forum, proposed improvements will be shared as well as more information about the grant. Additionally, community members will be asked what accessibility improvements they would suggest as the library works to prioritize community and library needs prior to moving forward with implementation.

“We are excited to be chosen for this opportunity,” said O’Driscoll. “This grant will allow our library to improve our services to ensure those with disabilities are welcome and supported in our library.”

About the library

The free Ardmore Public Library card provides access to more 25,000 books and resources on site, access to thousands of books through Interlibrary loan (sharing books between libraries in Tennessee) and thousands of audio and ebooks through the Libby app. Free internet access is also available 24 hours a day from the parking lot and via their computers during normal business hours. Pick up a copy of the library’s monthly newsletter, Community Connections, for more detailed information about free library events and programs.

About the granting organizations

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: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).”