The Danville Public Library is one of five downstate libraries that have been chosen to receive a new cargo van as part of a grant from the Heartland Library System.
With their new cargo van, Danville Public Library will be bringing the library to under served youth in the community and expanding their Outreach programs. Specifically, the library will be utilizing the van to work with local area schools to create mobile extension programs. These mobile extension programs will allow kids in Danville to meet and build relationships with Danville Public Library staff without having to leave their comfort zones. The van will also be used as a mobile extension of the outreach department of the library to visit local community events during the year.
To be selected to receive a cargo van from Heartland Library System, libraries had to demonstrate their abilities to implement and sustain a mobile services project that could not be supported by existing vehicles already owned by the member library. Their project scope also had to touch on one or more of three areas: outreach to under served populations, development of community partnerships to broaden library services, and providing service to students that could include access to technology, educational enrichment or robust wifi access. Grants were awarded to libraries that displayed the most significant impact on their service areas.
