CALS received Communities for Immunity Grant to Build Vaccine Confidence
The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will host vaccine clinics at its Main Library and Milam Library branches this November as a part of its recently awarded Communities for Immunity grant. Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Communities for Immunity is an initiative of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, the American Alliance of Museums, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Network of the National Library of Medicine providing funding awards and support to museums and libraries engaging their communities to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence. As trusted community partners, museums and libraries play a critical role in building vaccine confidence and fighting the pandemic.
Communities for Immunity builds on a number of earlier and ongoing efforts to activate engagement in vaccine confidence work, including REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM), a research partnership between OCLC (a global library cooperative), the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle; Vaccines & US< led by the Smithsonian and in collaboration with a range of partner organizations and individuals; Vaccinate with Confidence from the CDC; We Can Do This from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and the It’s Up to You campaign led by the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative.
“Congratulations to the Central Arkansas Library System and for their work to support COVID-19 response within their community,” said American Library Association President Patty Wong. “Never before has access to information played such a vital role in the lives of library patrons. More than ever, accurate information regarding vaccines and other health information empowers communities to make informed choices. We hope that today’s funding will assist with efforts to save lives by stopping the spread of coronavirus through education and encouraging those most hesitant to receive the vaccine to look to their libraries for trusted information.”
According to the CDC, approximately half of all residents of Pulaski and Perry County who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine have been vaccinated. During these vaccine clinics, CALS will be offering lunch and giving away sweatshirts and blankets to those who get vaccinated. They will also have a fun photobooth opportunity to celebrate getting vaccinated. Vaccine clinics will be hosted on November 2nd and 30th at Milam Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on November 3rd at Main Library from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Register for your shot in advance online or call Milam Library (Perryville) or Main Library (Little Rock). While we recommend making a reservation, vaccines will be available for anyone who comes.
Main Library- 501-918-3000
Milam Library (Perryville)- 501-889-2554
About Communities for Immunity:
Communities for Immunity is an initiative of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, Institute of Museum and Library Services, American Alliance of Museums, and the Network of the National Library of Medicine, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in collaboration with the American Library Association, the Association of African American Museums, the Association of Children’s Museums, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums, and the Urban Libraries Council. Learn more about Communities for Immunity.
