| boost the morale
of community members. The goals and objectives of the grant were to
build a Multi-Purpose building that will house a library, a media center
including computers and videos, a multi-generational classroom, a
conference room, a kitchen, and private cubicles for meetings with
individuals and/or families. Computer literacy is essential for the
21st century. Most of the low income families do not own a computer and
thirty percent (30 %) of the household according to a Center for Disease
Control (CDC) 2002 survey of 500 residents do not have telephones, thus
preventing the use of the internet even if a computer is available. Lack
of transportation prevents many people from visiting the Ponca City
Public Library. Deliverables were a part of the strategic plan for the
Ponca Tribe’s goal #2 of the Ponca Tribal goals 1997 “to strengthen the
ability of the Ponca Tribal government to provide for the safety,
health, social, cultural, and economic needs of Tribal members”.
Library, videos, and computers have been purchased or obtained through
donations, yet are scattered throughout Tribal buildings. There has
never been a place to bring it to one location with evening hours
allotted for community use. Computer and literacy skills need to
increase for the Tribal workforce to become competitive. Adding culture
and language classes as well as General Education Diploma (G.E.D)
classes will add to the quality of life. Higher self-esteem along with
better literacy will increase economic self-sufficiency and reduce drug
and alcohol abuse, crime, and the school drop-out rate. Citizens need
to become more aware of the issues facing the community. They also need
to understand science-based solutions so that they can make informed
choices to direct their futures. The proposed design will allow for
flexibility in the future, as needs arise. It is planned to be a
library, media center, a records area, classroom (both indoor classroom
and outdoor classroom), a conference room. The classroom will house
many different community groups that have classes, such as the Ponca
language class for women, or the math classes for the students enrolled
in the White Eagle Mentoring Team. During the day, the building will
house various health and social programs, such as pre-natal services,
medical consultation, diabetes, and child services. It is conveniently
located next to the Health Clinic. |
