Windham Public Library purchases study pod using grant funds

By Kira Pilot

A new study pod purchased with grant money awarded to the Windham Public Library by the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) has been installed and is available for community members who need space to conduct a private call or hold a meeting.

Windham Public Library has purchased a
new study pod available for community
members who need space to conduct a
private call or gold a meeting, thanks
to a grant from the Cumberland County
Digital Equity Stipend Award.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The Cumberland County Digital Equity Stipend Award aims to provide funding to libraries, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations in Cumberland County for programs that increase digital literacy, provide access to devices, and promote online safety.

Library Director Jennifer Alvino Wood says of the council’s mission, “We’ve been thinking of ways we can promote the use of technology to help people in their everyday lives and make sure we’re getting that access out to all different types of groups – veterans, older adults, new English language learners, students - whoever in our community needs digital access.”

The $5,000 grant was used in its entirety for the purchase of the new pod, Alvino-Wood said.

The remainder of the funding needed was generously donated by the family of Barbara Kelley, a former Reference and Technology Librarian who worked at the library prior to her passing in February of last year. Her husband, Bill Barton, brought in a gifted check to the library and was present the day the pod was delivered in March. The pod will be named in honor of Kelley.

Alvino-Wood describes Kelley as someone who “loved to promote digital access, was such a great teacher, had so much patience, and a lovely attitude when helping our patrons learn to use the computer.”

The library already has two designated study rooms that can accommodate groups of up to four people at a time. The rooms are equipped with a computer and whiteboard and can be reserved for up to two hours by calling or emailing the library. It is the policy of the library to make available its meeting rooms and study pod to citizens and groups throughout the community for non-commercial purposes free of charge.

If anything comes up at the last minute, a person may also simply stop by the library and check for availability. The rooms see frequent use and Alvino-Wood said that the library is excited to additionally provide the new pod.

By contrast, the new study pod is portable and can accommodate one person having a private conversation. It features both a light and a table for a device. Once the door is closed, the pod is completely soundproof.

According to Alvino-Wood, the study pod can be reserved and booked in the same way as the library’s study rooms, by calling or emailing, or simply stopping by and inquiring about its availability.

Both the meeting rooms and the study pod may be reserved free of charge and are available for use during scheduled library hours. Guidelines for usage can be viewed on the Windham Public Library’s website at https://www.windham.lib.me.us/meeting-room. For further details, Ray Marcotte, the Reference Librarian responsible for booking these resources, can be reached 207-892-1908, ext. 5. <