Services range from mental health and wellness to resumes
The Taylor Public Library received a six-month grant renewal to provide mental-health, wellness and career services, officials said.
In 2023, the library, 801 Vance St., was named a recipient of a two-year Libraries for Health grant from St. David’s Foundation.
The initiative is geared to rural libraries to address community needs, including health and counseling.
“The whole program is unique, and it’s amazing that we can offer this resource to the community,” said Amy Keyes, the library’s new director who took over in July.
Austin Mental Health Communities, in a partnership with the foundation, keeps in contact with library directors “so we understand what’s happening and we can ask questions,” Keyes said.
Austin MCL also provides peer specialists to the libraries involved with the grant. Marquitta Brown is the peerrecovery specialist working at the Taylor library.
“My job is really to support and assist a (community) member with whatever they need, whether that’s help with a resume or other resources,” Brown said.
Keyes and Brown are aware that some people may not think of the library as a place to find wellness or other help. Brown is there three days a week, but she plans to start going out into the community for more outreach.
“That would give me the opportunity to familiarize myself with Taylor and let people know about the services that we have here (at the library),” Brown said.
She also intends to implement more groups and support systems.
Gina Paja, the former peer specialist, instituted programs such as grief support and chair yoga, which continue.
Brown is considering the addition of drug education classes, a women’s support group and a walking group.
While a walking group and chair yoga qualify as exercise, the programs also serve another purpose — socialization, Brown and Keyes said.
“We want people to come in and feel like they belong and feel like the library is a safe place for them to be,” Keyes said.
Keyes said libraries connect people with information beyond books, magazines, tapes and music.
“We’re always going to have books and programming, but we want to introduce some new things that really center around what this community needs,” Keyes said.
Added Brown, “I’m open to seeing people on an individual basis if they have something they need to deal with or need assistance with resources.”
Visit taylortx.gov/25/ Library to learn more about its programs.
