Reliable transportation is one of the largest barriers faced by some patrons who work with the Jackson County Library Services’ Community Resources team.
Getting to a variety of appointments, or even down the street to the store, can be hindered because they don’t have a way to get there.
“For a lot of folks, just being able to get around – getting four blocks – is a challenge,” says JCLS Community Resource Manager Thaddeus Crawford.
But thanks to a $15,000 Oregon Community Foundation grant, Community Resources will be able to better meet that challenge head on. Awarded to the Jackson County Library Foundation last month, the OCF’s Reed and Carolee Walker Fund’s Strategic Grant will pay for bicycle and cart maintenance education and repair kits, and Rogue Valley Transit District bus tokens, passes, and tickets.
Bicycle and cart repair and maintenance
The bicycle and cart repair initiative is intended to help patrons keep their vehicles on the road and functioning.
JCLS community resource specialist Leigh Madsen had already been volunteering his time at a local bicycle shop. The grant offers an opportunity for the work to continue in a leveled-up capacity.
“We want to officially bring that into the fold and create our own repair kits…to teach folks how to maintain their vehicles,” Crawford says. “The biggest thing is tires. We’ll be purchasing a lot of plugs and patches, bike pumps, and some tools so people can do basic repairs.”
“We want to really teach folks how to maintain their own property so it’s a lot easier and will last longer,” he adds.
Upgraded public transit offerings
Rogue Valley Transit District fares paid for with the grant will include tokens that pay for one ride, specialized passes that pay for six rides, and tickets that can pay for longer commutes.
“That way patrons can get to where they’re going, whether it’s to food, medical, or work,” Crawford says. “And then they have a way to get back.”
Food assistance
Community Resource specialists are also looking at putting some of the funds toward additional food they can distribute to those facing food insecurity. The department currently hands out snacks, mostly at the Ashland and Medford branches, but Crawford says he would like to build on that.
“We want to be able to look at exploring other ways to hand out some very minor food items, possibly extend food availability, or be able to purchase some different food items,” he says.
Additional services offered by the department include applications for affordable and temporary housing, Oregon Health Plan and healthcare marketplace assistance, substance use treatment information, and assistance in filing for unemployment and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP.
Visit https://jcls.org/services/community-resources/ for more information.