Beloit Public Library Receives $3.89 Million Grant
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ office announced today that it will award Beloit Public Library (BPL) with a $3,890,558 Flexible Facilities Program Grant (FFP) to assist with library renovations.
As a result of this grant, Beloit Public Library (BPL) will transform more than 30% of its facility – including the last of the library’s unfinished second-floor spaces – to bolster services and address four key community needs in a post-COVID-19 environment: workforce development, access to healthcare, high-speed Internet access, and education.
Library renovations will include:
- An upgrade to Wi-Fi 7,
- Six classrooms,
- Seven flexible rooms,
- Two health monitoring rooms,
- Three computer labs (with additional laptops for on-site remote work),
- Four virtual interview/study rooms,
- A sensory room, and
- Two work/play carrels that allow adults to work while young children play safely in an enclosed side pen.
“The library serves our community’s needs far beyond physical materials,” said Beloit City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos. “This expansion will see increased access to workforce development tools, healthcare monitoring, technology, and early childhood literacy.”
These renovations also make way for the library’s new Discovery PLAYce, a uniquely innovative early learning center intended to provide children ages 0-6 and their caregivers opportunities for building early brain development through hands-on activities and experiences. This FREE learning center will be integrated inside Beloit Public Library and feature its own picture book collection and prompts throughout the exhibits for adults to connect their child’s play with literacy and brain development skills. Discovery PLAYce will help move the early childhood literacy needle in Beloit.
“This grant is a game changer,” said BPL Director Nick Dimassis, “but it doesn't come from planning on paper; it comes from years of listening to the community, forging valuable partnerships, and changing how we provide services to the community. Over the last several decades, there has been a significant investment in the physical capital of our community; now it’s time to invest in our human capital, to provide children with opportunities to develop early literacy skills and ensure they are ready to be successful learners when they walk through those school doors. We can't thank our library board enough for supporting this vision we had when we started discussing this project three years ago.”
The library is planning a capital campaign this winter to maximize the impact of this grant. Funds will purchase Discovery PLAYce exhibits and ensure the success and sustainability of the learning center’s goal, which ultimately is to prepare the area’s youth to read and be ready learn once they enter local classrooms.
“The children of Beloit are our future,” said Council President Kevin Leavy. “This investment into early brain development will help ensure that all of our children have the best start in life. The Beloit City Council was proud to support this grant, and we look forward to seeing this library space transformed into a destination for young families.”
BPL is one of 35 agencies throughout the state – 28 of which were libraries – to receive an allocation of the Department of Administration’s $115 million in funding. The state received 100 applications and $297 million in requests. The FFP is funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and was open to all units of general local government and Tribal governments in Wisconsin, with a maximum award request of $4.25 million.
The FFP is designed to fund community facility projects such as public libraries, community centers, and multi-purpose community facilities to address critical requirements of digital and broadband access resulting from or exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. The projects are intended to serve disadvantaged populations most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and who have limited or no remote access to broadband. The funded projects were required to provide new, renovated, or expanded facilities, broadband/high-speed internet service, and other digital connectivity equipment, and devices that will enable remote access to work, education, and health monitoring activities and resources.
A Closer Look at the BPL Project
Beloit Public Library’s mission is to provide enriching, inspiring, and educational opportunities for all community members. BPL has cultivated strong partnerships with more than 60 organizations including Rock County Public Health Department, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Stateline Literacy Council, Blackhawk Technical College, Community Health Systems, Community Action, and Rock County Jumpstart and will amp up these collaborations to provide the community access to an even more robust collection of services and resources. It also presents many opportunities for BPL and local school districts to deepen their relationships and cooperation on behalf of families.With this grant, BPL will expand its innovative programs and resources and address disparities by improving access to high-speed Internet with Wi-Fi 7, education, workforce development, and healthcare services.
High-Speed Internet
Upgraded Wi-Fi 7 will enable faster and more reliable high-speed internet for any device in the library. In response to needs identified by Rock County Public Health Department, it also will help residents access online medical records more easily. Classrooms equipped with advanced technology will enhance offerings from educational partners.
Education
To address early learning deficits, the library will introduce Discovery PLAYce, an interactive children’s environment that will offer exhibits to help parents prepare their children ages 0-6 for school. Discovery PLAYce will be a major incentive tool for the underserved to visit the library to access FFP-related services. With limited childcare options, the learning center will 1) Increase education and learning; 2) Allow adults to access health and DWD resources while youth are occupied with interactives; and 3) Decrease anxieties for all ages related to healthcare monitoring services. More than 30% of residents were hit hard by the pandemic and continue to struggle. Through a multi-generational approach, these residents will have greater access to classes to position them for better jobs and higher wages. Stateline Literacy Council and Blackhawk Technical College will offer classes, digital resources, and facilities for GED testing. Some childcare will be provided so parents have fewer barriers to learn English, gain citizenship, earn a GED, or begin college coursework. College Goal Wisconsin will provide FAFSA and scholarship guidance, and the library will host interns in various disciplines.
Workforce Development
Three computer-equipped spaces featuring 27 computers, 11 mobile workstations, two laptops, and high-speed Wi-Fi 7 throughout the renovated 21,546-sq-ft spaces will enhance workforce development efforts. Four private study rooms will accommodate library or personal devices for remote work, virtual job fairs, and online interviews. BPL will support career development through a partnership with the Department of Workforce Development through improved computer access, private virtual interview rooms, virtual job fairs, instruction for applying for jobs online, resume workshops, and classes for practicing interview skills.Patrons will receive help to create resumes, search for jobs, fill out applications, and prepare for interviews – particularly beneficial for those impacted by job loss or career changes due to COVID-19, many who struggle with necessary digital literacy skills. Mobile workstations will provide flexibility to transform any space into virtual interview spots.
Healthcare Services
A partnership with Community Health System will improve healthcare access through individual appointments and group education for the insured, underinsured, and uninsured. Two telehealth rooms – including one in Discovery PLAYce – will be equipped with monitoring devices and provide a space for virtual healthcare appointments to help reduce anxiety associated with in-person medical visits, especially mental health-related conditions. Community Health System will provide onsite appointments for the insured and uninsured and offer immediate care when needed. Two new carrels will allow adults to work while young children play safely in an attached enclosure.