Westport Library Receives Major Grant

The Westport Library was one of two public libraries in the country to be awarded a major grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, DC.

The National Leadership Grant will be used to enhance the library’s MakerSpace in order to demonstrate how opportunities to learn and practice innovation skills can change the perception of contemporary libraries and broaden the library audience, according to Library Director Maxine Bleiweis.

Library staff will be working with two partners to determine best practices, the Information and Library Science Department of Southern Connecticut State University and the Connecticut State Department of Library Services. 

“We are excited to share what we have learned and will learn with other libraries in Connecticut, the nation and around the world,” said Bleiweis.

Only one other public library in the country, Providence, RI Public Library, was selected to receive funding in this category this year from the IMLS. The IMLS used a peer review process to evaluate the grant applications, according to a release from the library.