Library chats spur action, aid

On July 30, the Dublin Public Library lawn was teeming with people for its back to school fair, an event that carries the torch from the fair founded by Kingdom Movement in years past. The event is also one of the latest results from a Community Conversation initiative that has brought Erath residents and organizations together to serve the needs of neighbors.

Thelibraryhashostedtwoof these conversations through a grant by the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative with meetings held on Aug. 25, 2021 and April 6 of this year.

In the April meeting, a group of 17 people discussed some of the barriers that people face in being proactive in their health and getting necessary items to people who would most benefit from them. The meeting included representatives from Erath County AgriLife, Texas Health Resources, the city of Dublin, the Dublin business community and Erath Engaged, a group from Tarleton that has received a grant from the Department of State Health Services in helping the people of Erath in providing vital information and fulfilling needs.

Topics in the discussion included how to combat the low turnout in free vaccine clinics and getting resources and information out so people can get access to consistent healthy food and any medical needs.

Librarian Adina Dunn called the conversation worthwhile, especially since those present formed contacts and it helped in the planning of several events including events and classes at the library like the Back to School Fair, the June 15 Health and Safety Fair which saw 11 organizations meeting with the public and sharing information on the library lawn and an upcoming class hosted by UNT, ‘Microbes That Call You Home’ set for Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. (The library also assists with technology needs and education thanks to another Libraries Transforming Communities grant that aims to fight the limited access to internet and technology in some areas.)

This commitment to helping the community has also carried in events from the other groups like the Health Summit for Educators organized by Erath Engaged in cooperation with Erath County Community Bridges, Texas AgriLife, Erath County Emergency Management and Tarleton’s Rural Communications institute.

Dunn encourages anybody in need of assistance to reach out as the library keeps a list of local resources available and can provide assistance.

For more information on the ALA and its initiatives, visit www. ala.org.

Brand-new backpacks were given away to students as part of the Backto- School Fair July 30 at the library.