Sparta Free Library and Brighter Tomorrows for Monroe County Citizens  by Marcia Sarnowski 

The local public library often performs a referral service, providing the contact information of agencies which offer services needed by community members.  Some libraries take a more active role, helping to extend an agency’s reach and deepening the value of the services it provides.  In our region, the Sparta Free Library is working with an area social service organization to assist citizens who are victims of domestic violence.  The organization is Brighter Tomorrows, a subsidiary of Monroe County Sheltercare, which provides support services for adults, children and families.

Brighter Tomorrows has offices in Sparta and Tomah.  Its mission is to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault in Monroe County, and empower individuals to create a safer personal environment through education and positive choices.

Brighter Tomorrows serves adults aged 18 and over, and services are available for persons of any income level.  Most of the clients are women, though the number of men seeking assistance is increasing.  Staffed by three persons who are on call 24/7, the organization offers free and confidential counseling and if necessary, safe shelter in its office locations or in secure transitional housing sites.  

One of the three staff members is Jan Bruder, the Community Educator, who is a former staff member with the Sparta Free Library; she still volunteers there, helping with teen programs.  She is well aware of the library as a valuable community resource, and will often refer clients there to find information which can help them establish themselves in a new living situation.  Consumers can check out books and dvds  and can use the computers for accessing online resources.  Sometimes Jan accompanies them to the library, to introduce them to its many services and materials.

Library director Peggy Klein and Jan Bruder have attended several of the same local and regional agency meetings.  Peggy sees the collaboration with Brighter Tomorrows as a way for the library to address some important community needs.  Besides offering library cards to people living in the transitional housing sites, the library creates major displays each year during April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month), and October ( Domestic Violence Awareness Month).  The library has added materials recommended by the Brighter Tomorrows staff; these can help to educate the public, as well as those who might be in need of the organization’s services.  The library also supplies donated reading materials for the office’s waiting rooms and children’s room, and the transitional sites.

This is a prime example of the library acting as a partner at the community table, listening to community needs and helping to make a positive difference for its citizens.  Is your library sitting at the community table?  What local and regional needs are you learning about, and how can your library help to address them?