The PEARL Project (Promoting and Enhancing the Advancement of Rural Libraries)
The PEARL Project was sponsored by the Priddy Foundation from 2011-2016. The project
is completed but the mission of PEARL continues. This will be a community portal about
the progress of our rural public libraries.
This sites also hosts the legacy Community Outreach Plans and link to the UNT rural
library graduate and undergraduate academic certificates.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- Design a Community Outreach Plan Template.
- Assist 105 librarians in creating a Community Outreach Plan.
- Create a resource center Web site.
- Develop a virtual community among rural librarians.
- Provide annual workshops and forums in rural librarianship.
- Fund five post-graduate students to get a Certificate of Advanced Study in rural librarianship.
- Provide each participating library a $1,000 Milestone Award for completing an outreach
project.
OVERVIEW
The Department of Library and Information Sciences at the University of North Texas
received funding for a three-year project to enhance the role of the public library
in targeted rural communities in Texas. The project will address the roles of the
small rural library as:
- A community resource.
- A gathering place for people.
- A facilitator for community partnerships.
In addition, it will provide avenues of library training and peer interaction for
rural library staff.The project will assess how this collaborative model for community
outreach enhances the effectiveness of rural library service in Texas.
FUNDING
The PEARL Project is funded by the Robert and Ruby Priddy Charitable Trust. The Priddy
Charitable Trust has focused on liberal arts education, pre K-12 public education,
community health care, and rural public libraries.
MISSION
The mission of the project is to strengthen the public library as an essential part
of community life in rural Texas communities.
GOALS
The goals of the project are to:
- Enhance community cooperation between the target libraries and governing agencies,
civic organizations, educational and social institutions, community leaders, and local
residents.
- Create individualized Community Outreach Plans for target rural libraries and train
staff in plan implementation.
- Create a web based resource center of Community Outreach Plans and other resources
useful to rural librarians including social networking tools to foster a virtual community.
- Provide educational opportunities for rural librarians through semi-annual meetings
and workshops.
NEEDS ADDRESSED
The four basic needs this project addresses are:
- Need for strategic community partnerships between rural libraries and other community
organizations.
- Need for a peer support group and peer interaction among rural librarians.
- Need for community outreach web based resources developed specifically for rural librarians.
- Need for specialized educational opportunities for rural librarians.