Proctor Library receives NEFLIN grant for deaf education

By Paisley Crosby

In January, Proctor Library received a mini grant through Northeast Florida Library Information Network, which has given the library $1,500 to use toward expanding their deaf education and deaf life collections.

The project will enhance the library’s current collection of print and non-print material.

The current funds were insufficient to support improvements in that department of the library. This special collection is now able to grow using Proctor Library staff and administrative support to bring in books through use of the NEFLIN mini-grant.

“The deaf education program is really unique at Flagler, and it’s something that we want to be sure that we’re giving it as much support as we can, ” Jenny Eason, reference and instruction librarian, said. “We want to make sure that we’re providing the students in that major the support they need.”

The staff has already been comparing the collection against others, such as one at Gallaudet University, and has identified several books to be bought. The funds from the NEFLIN mini-grant will be used to purchase these books.

The library applied for the grant in November to meet the demands of the popular and growing major of deaf education at the college.