The Jaffrey Public Library has been selected to receive a Sustainable & Resilient New England Libraries Grant of $14,000 from the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) through the generosity of the Manton Foundation.

The grant will provide ADA compliant drinking fountains and bottle filling stations on the first two floors of the library, and address associated costs.  This allows for an economical and ecologically sound solution for drinking water in our busy library.  

It seems like a simple project, but due to old cast iron plumbing that was soldered shut when the earlier fountain was removed decades ago and the need to adjust the drain heights for ADA compliance, as well as work to the walls to make those height adjustments, the simple idea of water fountains is a costly venture.

Thank you to ARSL and the Manton Foundation!  From the ARSL website, “Over the past three years, The Manton Foundation has partnered with ARSL to invest approximately $1.4 million to strengthen small and rural libraries across New England. This funding has played a crucial role in supporting critical infrastructure and service improvements, ensuring these libraries remain vital community resources.”