Parrott-Wood Memorial Library was SELECTED FOR COMPETITIVE FEDERAL HUMANITIES GRANT

$10,000 Grant Will Help the Library Recover from the Coronavirus Pandemic

Picture: Donna Phillips, Director of Parrott-Wood Memorial Library

Parrott-Wood Memorial Library has been selected as one of 200 libraries nationwide for the American Library Association’s American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries opportunity, an emergency relief program to assist libraries that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Parrott-Wood Memorial Library will use these funds to anchor itself in the community as a strong humanities institution. The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library deliver excellent programs and services related to culture, history, literature, and other humanities subjects.

More than 370 libraries applied for the grant, according to ALA. View the full list of selected libraries.

The participating libraries, selected through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process, include public libraries, academic/college libraries, K-12 libraries, and tribal, special and prison libraries. The recipients represent 45 states and Puerto Rico and serve communities ranging in size from 642 residents in Weir, Kansas, to the city of Los Angeles. Libraries were chosen with an emphasis on reaching historically underserved and/or rural communities.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Donna Phillips. “This grant will allow our library to better serve our patrons and plan strong, enriching humanities programming as we come out of the pandemic.”

Parrott-Wood Library will use the grant funds for programs. Learning from Epidemics/Pandemics Through-out United States History is the chosen project name. The library is providing out-reach programs about Polio to all five Jefferson County Senior Citizen Centers. All of the Jefferson FCE (Family Consumer Education Clubs) are learning about Small Pox Epidemic during the Revolutionary War. Our Strawberry Plains Book Club is learning about the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918. This summer the Boys and Girls Club and the Rush Strong Rocket kids will be learning about all the epidemics and pandemics throughout history. This grant is paying for books, materials and for Mrs. Ginger Spradlin, Level III teacher who will be presenting these programs. The programs will be held in-person and virtually.

The main portion of this grant goes to documenting the oral history of Polio Survivors. All videos of the Polio survivors sharing their stories will be online and burned to DVDs which will be placed into the library’s collection. A copy of the DVDs will be sent to the East TN History Museum and to the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The Polio Survivors stories will show the first-hand effects of Polio and how it changed the survivors lives forever.

In-Person Public Programs All Ages

Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/parrott-wood-memorial-library-12763544747 or call 865-933-1311.

Over View of Epidemics/Pandemics Monday, May 2, 2022 4:30-5:30 pm

Throughout United States History

Polio Epidemic Monday, May 16, 2022 4:30-5:30 pm

Small Pox Epidemic During the

American Revolutionary War Monday, June 6, 2022 4:30-5:30 pm

Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 Monday, June 20, 2022 4:30-5:30 pm

Epidemics/Pandemics Monday, July 11, 2022 4:30-5:30 pm

Finale/Party

Virtual Programs

The public and homeschoolers may join us via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/pwml321

Polio Epidemic Tuesday, June 7, 2022 10:30-11:30 am

Small Pox Epidemic During the

American Revolutionary War Tuesday, June 14, 2022 10:30-11:30 am

Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918 Tuesday, June 21, 2022 10:30-11:30 am

Covid-19 Verses all Epidemics Tuesday, June 28, 2022 10:30-11:30 am

“Libraries have faced significant hardships throughout the pandemic —from budget cuts to staff furloughs to building closures — especially in our communities of the greatest need,” said ALA President Patty Wong. “This crucial support from NEH will enable our beloved institutions, and the dedicated people who run them, to rebuild and emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.”

American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.”