A bit of comfort, in the form of Community Comfort Carts, are now available at all Rock Island Public Library physical locations. The goals are to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by discussing it openly, leading people to resources, and letting people know that they are not alone.
Each multi-drawer rolling cart contains beneficial items and activities that may help someone having a bad day or struggling to get back on track. All are freely available, without judgment. Currently, that includes a mix of light snacks, personal care supplies, sensory and fidget items, mini mental health journals, mental health resource cards and informational articles. Contents are evaluated and adjusted by library staff as needed.
Mental health resources were among the top five priorities in a 2022 community survey for using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. A stakeholder focus group, chaired by Second Ward Alderman Randy Hurt, identified unmet needs, potential partnerships and programs. In May, the Rock Island City Council granted ARPA dollars to the Rock Island Public Library for the purpose of providing mental health resources.
The ARPA-funded project extends beyond comfort carts. The library offers continuing programming for mental health awareness and connection, and has produced mental health resource cards and QR code stickers. The mental health resource cards and stickers are available on the Comfort Carts.