CALS Awarded $15,000 Grant to Support Young Adult Civic Learning

The Central Arkansas Library System is excited to share that it has received a $15,000 grant as part of the Civic Makers Lab for Adults initiative from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). CALS is one of only 10 libraries nationwide selected to participate in this program, which equips librarians to serve as civic learning facilitators and empowers young adults ages 18–24 to become active contributors to their communities.

Danielle Afsordeh, Community Outreach Archivist & Programs Coordinator, will lead all programming connected to the project. CALS will use the grant to create civic learning experiences for young adults, including simulations, community design challenges, project-based civic action, and civic awareness campaigns. “I firmly believe civics education begins with understanding how the past has shaped our world today — and that’s especially true in Central Arkansas,” said Afsordeh.

CALS Executive Director Nate Coulter emphasized that this grant allows CALS to invest in young adults by giving them the tools, experiences, and confidence to participate in civic life and shape the future of Central Arkansas. Stay tuned for upcoming program announcements to learn how you or a young adult in your life can get involved.