WAIMEA — Waimea Public Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities.
The award comes with training for library staff on how to lead community conversations and a $3,000 grant for the library to host a community conversation around an important topic. The Waimea Public Library is partnering with the County of Kaua‘i to engage residents in the planning process for the 417 acres recently acquired by the County, referred to as the “Waimea 400” site.
“We are grateful for this award which we can invest in our community,” said branch manager Michelle Young. “This grant will help our library host an in-person, outdoors conversation with West side residents to dream big about the future of this historic land.”
According to Lea Kai‘aokamalie, Waimea 400 Project Manager for the County of Kaua‘i, “This is a unique opportunity for residents to shape the future of this area as a community space. Some of the land will be used for housing, and the rest of the land can be designated for recreational, agricultural or conservation purposes.”
Public libraries are community gathering places for not only learning, but connecting with each other about what matters in our communities. “We are excited that the Waimea Public Library will be a place for neighbors to talk story and be a part of building the future of Waimea 400,” said State Librarian Stacey Aldrich.
If you would like to learn more about the Waimea 400, the County of Kaua‘i will host a virtual community meeting to present three conceptual plan drafts on Thursday, June 17th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. To join, please register online at waimea400.com or call the Planning Department at (808) 241-4050.
If you would like to discuss the conceptual plans at the Waimea 400 Talk Story session on Wednesday June 23rd from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, please contact Michelle Young at michelle.young@librarieshawaii.org or (808) 338-6848 to register. Please note that space is limited to 15 people for this in-person event.
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; provide a space for discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations.
