Valerie Bonner, Technical Services librarian at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Perkinston Campus, received a Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries travel grant through the American Library Association (ALA). The competitive, peer-reviewed application process, was awarded to only 25 librarians in the nation.

Bonner will receive funding to attend a workshop at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago June 25 – 30, 2020.  The conference offers attendees the opportunity to learn about current issues and trends in library and information science and technology and participate in events, hear inspiring speakers, and learn from thought leaders and colleagues at more than 500 programs and in-depth sessions. Topics covered include digital content, innovation, the library of the future, transformation, emerging trends, best practices, community engagement, leadership, and many more. Included in the conference are more than 800 vendors, each highlighting new services, technologies, books, and products to improve library and support personal career development.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The initiative is offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in collaboration with the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD), the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL), and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA).