The following is a press release written by Tori Lawhorn for the Monroe County Public Library.
The Monroe County Public Library has received a Rapid Response Grant from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to support the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for community outreach.
The grant is part of the Community Foundation’s 2026–2027 multi-tiered grant initiative, which is designed to strengthen organizations serving Monroe County and support the community’s long-term vitality. MCPL is among 19 local organizations receiving Tier 1 Rapid Response Grants in the first phase of the initiative. The Library will use the funding to replace the current aging outreach van with a new hybrid vehicle. The vehicle will support a variety of Library services throughout Monroe County, including home deliveries of Library materials, Community Access Television Services activities, and community events.
“MCPL is honored to receive this grant,” Library Director Grier Carson said. “Our fleet of Library vehicles provides the backbone of so many Outreach Services and community connections, bringing Library collections and individualized support to citizens all across the county. With this grant, we’re able to upgrade one of our delivery vans and thereby improve the experience for patrons who utilize MCPL’s offsite service points.”
The new vehicle will help MCPL maintain reliable transportation for services that bring Library resources and opportunities to patrons beyond its three physical locations. MCPL operates the Downtown Library on Kirkwood Avenue, as well as branches in Ellettsville and southwest Bloomington, while also providing programs, resources, and outreach throughout Monroe County.
“The Community Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the growth and development of Monroe County,” said Carson. “The Library is just one of many local organizations who’ve benefited from their generosity, and we are lucky to count the Community Foundation among our valued partners.”
The grant will help MCPL bring the Library to more people across Monroe County, expanding equitable access to opportunities to read, learn, connect, and create. The new vehicle will help MCPL extend Library resources and services into neighborhoods and community settings, supporting the Library ’s mission to strengthen the community and enrich patron lives. The Library expects to purchase a new vehicle by the end of the calendar year.
About the Monroe County Public Library
The Monroe County Public Library strengthens our community and enriches lives by providing equitable and impartial access to information and opportunities to read, learn, connect, and create. MCPL serves an estimated 140,000 county residents across Bloomington and Ellettsville, Indiana. The Library also welcomes approximately 47,000 Indiana University undergraduate and graduate students throughout the academic year. MCPL strives to support a knowledgeable, inclusive, diverse, and engaged community through its three physical locations, digital resources, and suite of outreach services. For more information, visit mcpl.info.
