Funding Recipient Spotlight: Alamosa Public Library

Posted by liaison on April 4th, 2024 Posted in: Funding, Public Libraries

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This is a guest post written by funding awardee, Maria Kramer, Library Manager at the Alamosa Public Library. She used her NNLM Region 4 funds to cover the costs associated with shipping a NLM Traveling Exhibit. 

We are the Alamosa Public Library, a one-branch library in the lovely town of Alamosa, Colorado. We selected “Graphic Medicine, Ill-Conceived and Well-Drawn” as part of our efforts to get more involved in promoting and discussing health. We’ve also been approached by our State Library to host a telehealth hub. This special technology pod will include a dedicated PC with a webcam, as well as peripheral technology such as a pulse oximeter, scale and touch-free thermometer, to help our library users access medical care more easily. The San Luis Valley is the size of the State of Connecticut, with many residents living in remote areas, off the grid, with limited connectivity. According to Alamosa County Public Health, Alamosa’s health outcomes are below the national average, with higher rates of chronic disease, obesity and smoking than the state and national average.

We are grateful to have had access to this exhibit, to encourage our patrons to think about and talk about their physical and mental health. While the exhibit was up, we invited our patrons to contribute their own graphic novel panels, providing blank templates for them to use. One patron left a lovely panel about her relationship with her hair. Another told us that she found the exhibit informative and meaningful.

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If you are interested in obtaining funding for professional development, we are currently accepting applications for Year 4. Applications accepted and awarded on a rolling basis until February 16, 2025 at 5:00 pm MT or when the funds are depleted.

Please reach out to your state’s point of contact with any questions you may have.

• Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico – Dana Abbey
• Idaho, Montana, Utah – George Strawley
• North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming – David Brown
• All Region 4 states – John Bramble