Neuse Regional Library Receives Statewide Recognition at NCPLDA Conference
By Justin Stout, Head of Information Services
Neuse Regional Libraries are excited to announce that they were recently recognized with two 2024 North Carolina Public Library Directors Association (NCPLDA) Awards. At the April 3 ceremony, Director Melanie Morgan and Neuse Regional Libraries staff were recognized for a Literacy Award for digital literacy outreach at the Friends of the Homeless Shelter and Facility Recognition for the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library’s new Multi-Sensory Environment.
New Friends, New Skills
The Library was recognized for providing a weekly digital literacy outreach class at the Friends of the Homeless shelter in Kinston. Initiated as a way to better connect with guests at the shelter who also visit the library while raising awareness of the library’s ability to help them improve their digital literacy skills, the class helps shelter guests improve their employment opportunities, which is often one of the main objectives of their stay. Library staff use an online literacy program provided by the State Library of North Carolina called NorthStar Digital Literacy to help guests at all digital literacy levels work on their skills. Additionally, the Library brings its social worker to make guests aware of the Let’s Connect program, which can help them connect with other resources in the community. The program has been very successful in enhancing the library’s ability to serve these patrons, and this partnership also led to the installation of an Early Literacy Center at the shelter funded by a Library Services and Technology Grant and administered by the State Library of North Carolina, which provides books, technologies, and learning opportunities for guest families at the shelter.
Multi-Sensory Environment
The Library was also recognized for its new Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE) at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, which provides a safe and engaging environment for children and young adults to explore their senses and process new information. Features include sensory interaction with bubble tubes, tactile wall and floor panels, soft playscapes, flexible sensory stations, and manipulatives like lighting and sound machines that allow participants the opportunity to control the environment for their specific needs. The MSE is located adjacent to the Children’s Room to allow easy access for children, young adults, and their parents and caregivers to engage and explore in a welcoming space. The result is an environment that appeals to a wide range of users and provides a therapeutic and educational addition to programming and services provided by the NRL.
The Library greatly appreciates the recognition from NCPLDA, as well as the support we receive from our community. We greatly benefit from the high value our community places on its public library, and it is very gratifying to see this reflected in state-wide recognition. For more information about library services or programming, please call 252-527-7066, Ext. 134, email nrl@neuselibrary.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or visit our website neuselibrary.org.
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