The Rogers Free Library (RFL) is about to get a healthy infusion of cash in the form of a $1.75 million grant of federal funds that will be coming through the State. It’s part of an $18 million package, likely the last of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-relief funds to be distributed.

“The state reached out to every city in town and said we have this 80 million dollars, reach out to us with what you want to use it for, and the Library had shovel-ready projects,” said Nick Toth of the Office of Community Development, who took the lead in securing the grant for the town.

What’s more, libraries were named in the grant application as an automatic presumed allowable use from the federal government, which made RFL an obvious recipient.

“The funding we're being provided by the state is specifically for capital and equipment purchases,” Toth said. Some of the back-end improvements that will be part of the plan include security cameras, electrical upgrades, and an upgrade to the HVAC system.

Most visible to patrons, however, will be the reopening of the balcony in the old library space as well as the development of a “maker space” in the back of the second floor non-fiction stacks. The balcony will be developed into smaller quiet study areas. Due to its limited accessibility and ADA requirements, the space cannot be used for services that are not available elsewhere at RFL.

Details of the maker space are in development.

“We're just deciding exactly how big it's going to be,” said Library Director Eileen Dyer. “We are going to look at look nearby maker spaces to see what we can have.”

“We’re looking to see what kind of equipment people may need on their way to their careers as well as projects that you do independently,” said Ann Kathrin Weldy, Adult Programming and Outreach Coordinator. “That's one of the reasons we're looking at other maker spaces do, what are their successes and challenges and what is something maybe unique that we can offer here.”

Programming tied to Learn365RI plan
As the money passes through the State, they have tied some requirements to it that will inform RFL’s programming moving forward and enhance the library’s role as a key part of Bristol’s engagement with Learn365RI — the new out-of-school learning initiative which is designed to shift learning from the traditional 180 school days to 365 days of learning by supporting partnerships between municipalities, local education agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to expand high-quality, extended learning experiences.

According to Toth and Dyer, both federal health and Learn365RI mandates were tied into the grant, and meeting those requirements will become part of the reporting mandate for five years following completion of the capital improvements, which must happen by the end of 2026.

“The overarching goal is to promote education, workforce development, and health monitoring,” said Toth. “So the maker space will focus in on the education and work…and one of the most really big parts of this grant, and it's actually requirement both from the state and from the federal government, is emphasis on community. We want to see what the community wants in a space like this to help work on education, workforce, and health outcomes.”

Post-construction programming plans
RGB Architects of Providence have just won the bid to do the design work, and Toth, Dyer, and Weldy hope to start collecting public input soon, not just regarding what people would like to see in the maker space but also in terms of the heath requirement of the grant.

“We want to see what health outcomes are specific to Bristol,” said Toth.

“One thing that we have already noticed is we have a popular series at the library for caregivers. There is a huge need in the community for that. So we're growing on what we what we already have…we really want to make sure the public knows we are consistently there and you can always come at these certain times and we are here for you.”

“Construction has to be done by the end of 2026,” said Dyer. “After that, we have a five-year commitment to doing programming on and having services for health outcomes, education and workforce development, so that will be an active thing. It's something that we already do but we'll really be gearing it up and we will be getting community input each year during that time to make sure that we're meeting the goals.”

Toth is hoping to have the work out for construction bids in October or November of this year with construction starting over the winter. Library services will continue uninterrupted, though perhaps less quietly as usual.

“We continue to evolve and adjust to meet the needs of the community, as a community hub,” said Dyer.