BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Rockingham Free Public Library is thrilled to announce that it has received a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant. This year, only 750 grantees were chosen from 5,100 applications across all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
With this quick-action grant, the Rockingham Free Public Library has added foldable kayaks, inflatable paddleboards, and e-bikes to its library collection, and has been hosting programs in August and September that will continue in October, so community members, especially those age 50 and older, can learn about the equipment, connect with other curious patrons, and explore the outdoors together. Beginning next summer, the equipment will be available for library card holders to reserve and check out, just like books and other Library of Things objects.
This project is advancing the library’s mission to provide access to knowledge, information, cultural enrichment, and connection, and to help make Rockingham a place where people of all ages can thrive. “We are incredibly proud that AARP selected the Rockingham Free Public Library for this grant to help make Rockingham more livable for residents of all ages,” stated Ian Graham, library director. “AARP is a national leader in supporting communities to become more livable, and we are honored they recognize the value and impact this project will bring to this beautiful part of the Connecticut River Valley.”
The AARP Community Challenge grant program supports projects that improve public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, disaster resilience, and more. These grants are part of AARP’s broader Livable Communities initiative, which helps neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties across the country become great places for people of all ages. To explore all 750 projects funded this year – or to view an interactive map of Community Challenge projects, visit www.aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. Learn more about AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities work at www.aarp.org/Livable.
For more information about Rockingham Free Public Library’s new paddle and e-bike programs and other programs, call 802-463-4270, visit www.rockinghamlibrary.org, or stop by the library at 65 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, Vt.