The Ossipee Public Library is the recipient of $3,164 in grant funding thanks to federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the New Hampshire State Library.
We chose to spend the grant funds on the purchase of two polished granite park benches to safely welcome patrons back to the library as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to expand our outdoor seating in order to plan outdoor programming such as the summer reading program, and to have space for people to sit and access the free Wi-Fi when we are not open or when the weather is nice. We envision community members using the benches to watch the July 4th parade next year, to sit and read outside, to access the Wi-Fi on a device, or simply sit out and enjoy the sun. Though the benches didn’t arrive in time for our outdoor summer reading program, we were successful in welcoming children back to the library this summer, reaching some who fell behind during the COVID-19 Pandemic, promoting summer reading, a love of books, stories, and learning.
We are grateful for the grant funds from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and to the New Hampshire State Library. We are grateful to the Town of Ossipee Highway Department, Public Works Director, and the Water & Sewer Department for their help in picking up the benches and installing them in front of the library. We are grateful for the support from the Library Board of Trustees, the Selectmen, and the Ossipee community.
Please come and have a seat on the beautiful new benches. (And don’t forget to check out a good book).
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS Grant # 20567935).
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
