$100,000 will help the Two Harbors Public Library become more accessible

Built in 1909, the Two Harbors Public Library was funded from $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This library pre-dates its address. We have some material that just the names the street corners it’s on,” Madeline Jarvis explained. She’s the Library Director. “It is exciting we get to champion this stately building.”

Then, in the 1980s, the community put on expansion on the south side of the building.

Between 100 and 200 people patrons come to the library each day. And not everyone has the same needs.

A $100,000 Blandin Foundation Leadership Boost Grant will help the library increase accessibility.

The library aims to exceed Americans with Disabilities Act restroom standards, and improve the navigability of the library for all.

Jarvis explained, “About 1 in 4 American adults either have a disability or will be diagnosed with a disability in their lifetime. Part of my job is to make sure this is truly building for the public.”

The money will also help with staff training, make the public work stations more accessible, update the circulation desk design, and audit the collection to make sure it represents the full community.

A local accessibility advocate helped with the grant-writing.

Work is expected to be complete in about a year.