Abigail Delgado is a familiar face to those visiting the Dublin Public Library but following a $375,000 grant, her role in connecting patrons with their needs is much larger.
Earlier this year, the Dublin Public Library was one of 11 Texas organizations awarded a grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at $75,000 annually for five years in the name of Rural Healing through Innovation and Connection.
“This initiative encourages local leadership and collaborative community efforts,” says Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation. “It aims to support and strengthen partnerships between local organizations and involve community residents, so that by working together and building on what they already do well, they can strengthen mental health, resilience, andwell-beingintheircommunities.”
The grant required a grant administrator and Delgado seemed the perfect fit to the library board so she left her position as library assistant to take the post.
“The project begins with listening to community members, understanding the strengths and needs that already exist, and identifying opportunities where we can make the greatest impact,” Delgado said. “Through community conversations, partnerships, and outreach, we are working to develop a Community Mental Wellness Action Plan that reflects the priorities and experiences of the people who live here.”
Armed with this information and guided with the help of a steering committee of community members and organization leaders, the project under Delgado as grant administrator will work to establish solutions for problems that have been identified as a high priority.
“The long-term goal is to create a sustainable plan that can continue beyond the fiveyear Delgado. “We want to build something that is not dependent solely on grant funding, but something that is supported by community partnerships, local involvement, and the continued commitment of the people who call Erath County home.”
Delgado admits she had assumptions about the needs when she took the role of administrator and has been learning as people come into the library needing lists of resources or organizations.
“One thing I have learned through this process is that libraries are often places where community needs become visible,” she said. “People may come in for a program, a book, internet access, or a community event, but those interactions help us understand what people value and what connections they need.”
Priorities noted by the community so far have included access to reliable/ adaptable transportation, community events particularly for youth, access to more resources like doctors and clinics in the community and ways of combating social isolation.
The library is also currently checking out Polaroid cameras and film to customers in association with the grant. Borrowers are tasked with taking photos of strengths and supports, barriers and challenges and needs and gaps in the community. The photos will be displayed in cooperation with Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council.
Delgado and her committee have been organizing and participating in community events this year to help collect information. Among these were the free soccer camp hosted by Community Connection Cohorts in March, the America 250 events at the library and train depot in July and the Back to School Fair at the library.
Library Director Adina Dunn is excited about the work being done and the community involvement which got us to this point. “This project started with CASA doing a massive amount of community investment and starting the Community Connections Cohort group and has evolved with the Hogg Foundation grant,” Dunn said. “I’m excited to see the community’s input to the “Photo Voice” project and seeing how we can best work together to accomplish shared goals.”
Information is still being sought, and she encourages anyone noticing needs in the community to reach out to her by emailing a. delgado@ dublinlibrary. com or calling the library at 254-445-4141.