The Brain Center at APL

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Alpha Park Public Library was selected as one of two winners for the 2022 RUSA Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People Living with Dementia to support the creation and development of services and programming to serve those living with dementia and other conditions affecting the brain. With this funding, the library has established a designated area in the library with a variety of resources, including books, games, puzzles, and more, available for patrons and caregivers to enjoy in the library or check out to take home.

The grant was established in memory of Stephen T. Riedner by his wife, Mary Beth Riedner, and his sister-in law and brother-in-law, Jane and John Gallick.

During his ten-year journey through a young-onset dementia, Steve's strong spirit was always an inspiration. He was determined to maintain his identity, dignity and independence for as long as possible. He demonstrated by his example that people living with dementia deserve the same respect and consideration as every other human being.

Motivated by his courage, Mary Beth, a retired librarian, began to encourage libraries to expand their services to these often stigmatized and neglected people. She is also the founder of “Tales & Travel Memories” and “Tales & Travel Adventures” which are interactive book and reading programs for people living with dementia. She has presented at many conferences and has written several journal articles and book chapters. Making libraries, and our society as a whole, more dementia friendly has become her passion.

What Resources Can Be Found in the Brain Center?

The Brain Center at APL is designed for patrons with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurodivergent conditions, although anyone is welcome to use and check out these items. We have an array of tools and resources including:

Books
Robotic Therapy Pets
Puzzles
Games & Activities
Caregiver Guides

In the future, APL will also be hosting a caretakers’ support group. For more information on this or any of the resources available in the Brain Center, please contact our Outreach Department at 309-697-3822 x25.

Website Accessibility Policy

Alpha Park Public Library is fully committed to providing accessible facilities, elements and channels of communication to all members of the public. As part of this commitment, Alpha Park Public Library has a policy of providing an accessible website compatible with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and commercial screen reading software. All features of the website are coded to allow individuals with vision and other impairments to understand and use the website to the same degree as someone without disabilities. We welcome feedback and can often resolve issues in a timely manner if they arise.

If you need any special assistance or accommodations:

Call us at (309) 697-3822

Ongoing Compliance Information

Compliance Officer

Alpha Park Public Library has designated a compliance officer for website disability-related accommodations. The compliance officer has received training in website accessibility and updates the site in accordance with those best practices. Contact our accessibility officer to report an issue.

Compliance Procedures and Reports

In addition to testing with users with a wide range of disabilities and coding our website to WCAG standards, Alpha Park Public Library regularly scans its website to ensure ongoing compliance, and makes timely changes to any inaccessible changes, if any are found.

Linked Documents and Third Parties

Please note that this site may link out to third-party websites, such as state or federal agencies, that do not have accessible content. This site may also include documents provided by third parties included in our agenda packets, for example. While we cannot control the accessibility of content provided by third parties, we are happy to assist any member of the public with reading and accessing content on our site.

See an opportunity for us to improve? Please contact our accessibility officer or call us at (309) 697-3822.

Report a Website Accessibility Issue

We are committed to your ability to access all content, and we will respond to all requests as soon as possible.

The Brain Center at APL

What Resources Can Be Found in the Brain Center?

Caregiver Meetings

Talking Books

Brain Center Resources