Katarina Spears, Library Director; Baylee Hughes, Community Engagement Librarian, James L. Hamner Public Library, Amelia Court House, VA (Population served: 13,400) Big Talk From Small Libraries 2024 February 23, 2024 http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk

1. Case Study:
Implementing an Afterschool Meals
Program in a Small Library
Big Talks for Small Libraries 2024
James L. Hamner Public Library
16351 Dunn Street, Amelia Court House, VA 23002
(804) 561-4559 | hamnerlibrary.org

2. Is your library an ideal space for an
afterschool meals program?
•Libraries make an ideal Afterschool Meals partner
organization because they provide enriching activities
for young people in a safe and nurturing environment.
•Libraries often have dedicated public meeting or
gathering space.
•Many libraries have an existing partnership with local
public schools.
•Students and families already utilize the library during
after school hours.
•Libraries are accessible to all members of the
community, including homeschool and private school
families.

3. “At-Risk” Afterschool Meals
Designed to engage
community partners to
provide children a safe place
to go after school and
access nutritious food that
allows them to concentrate
on homework and join their
friends in social and physical
activities

4. Component of the Child and Adult Care
Food Program
Managed by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture School Nutrition Service
Reimbursement for At-Risk Afterschool
Snacks has been available since the 1990s
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
expanded the Reimbursement of At-Risk
Afterschool Meals to all 50 states
Funded through state Department of
Education school nutrition program
About At-Risk Afterschool Meals
https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp

5. Organizational
Eligibility
After School Program Eligibility
Organized primarily to provide care for students after school
or on weekends, holidays, or school vacations during the
regular school year
Provide organized or regularly scheduled education or
enrichment activities (students are not required to
participate, as long as activities are available)
Be located in an attendance area of school where at least
50% of children are eligible for free or reduced priced meals
Organizational Eligibility
Public agencies such as schools or municipal
governments
Tax-exempt non-profit organizations
Some for-profit centers that meet eligibility requirements
Access Resources Handbook:
https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/risk-afterschool-care-
handbook

6. Local public school nutrition program (easiest
option)
Application process “fairly painless”
Administrative time for school is nothing extra if a
school nutrition program already exists
Cost is neutral to profitable
Certificate of occupancy and fire inspection required
Librarians are natural recordkeepers so it makes
school reporting easier
Periodic observations by school staff (if program
administrators)
USDA guidelines for observation
Posted notices
Program Administration
https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp

7. How often?
We offer food on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 4:00-5:30pm.
The room is available for the program until 6:00pm.
These are the times we see the most teen
activity, between school letting out and
Parks & Rec activities beginning.
Summer hours will be different.

8. Staff Training
All six staff members are trained and soon will be on rotating shifts. Training doesn’t take
long and can be in-house after the initial training.
Staff should know how to:
Set up and clean up
Answer questions pertaining to the program
Record stats and fill out forms accurately

9. Keeping Stats
Daily Meal Count & Attendance Form:
Track weekly delivery times and quantity
Record how many students ate and how many used the
space but did not eat
Upload the form to shared Google Drive folder so public
schools can see stats
Allergies and Dietary Restrictions:
Ask all new students 13+ if they have allergy or dietary
restriction, ask parent of 12 or younger
Record and report to Amelia Co Public Schools so that
they can accommodate in the future

10. Keeping More Stats
Sign-In Sheet:
Students 13+ sign themselves in
Students 12 or younger have a parent to ensure safety
and responsibility (Library Policy)
Tracks ages
Back-up stats for Daily Meal Count & Attendance Form

11. Zero Waste!
Any leftovers go to our friends
at the Amelia Food Pantry!
We record how many were
taken each week and upload
to shared Google Drive folder.

12. So what’s it really like?
It’s a big commitment, especially for a small library and a small staff,
but it makes a big impact!
Covers food insecurity
Gives students a place to go after school
Get to know your patrons!
Good PR for library and public school system
Grow relationship with public schools

13. Questions?
Baylee Hughes
Librarian
bkhughes@hamnerlibrary.org
Katarina Spears
Library Director
kspears@hamnerlibrary.or
g
Hamner Public Library
Amelia Court House, Virginia
804.561.4559