Prattville Library Wins 50,000 Grant, Plans New Community Program Space

The Autauga Prattville Public Library was awarded a 50,000 dollar grant on December 20, 2025 from T Mobile to fund a new community program space constructed from a donated trailer. Library officials say the space will expand access to literacy programming and hands on learning opportunities for children and adults across the county.

The grant will fund conversion work and outfitting that is expected to house programming that cannot easily fit inside the main building. A large exterior mural will be a standout feature, intended to increase the site visibility and draw more residents to library events and services.

Mayor Bill Gillespie framed the award as part of a broader local investment in educational infrastructure. “It will allow us to improve some of the facilities we have for the library. We have a lot of other great plans for the library. We’re fixing to spend couple of $300,000 on the [library] building and hopefully after that... we’ll actually have a new wing coming for the library which will be so, so important to so many people,” Gillespie said.

For Prattville households, the immediate effect will be more program space for story times, tutoring, workforce skill sessions, and community workshops. A mobile style program venue removes some barriers to participation by providing more flexible hours and room for equipment based learning that larger groups require.

Economically the grant functions as seed funding. The 50,000 dollar award reduces the initial capital burden for the project and can leverage the city spending Mayor Gillespie outlined. Local construction and installation work associated with the trailer conversion and future building investments will create short term demand for contractors and suppliers. Over the longer term expanded library services support human capital development, which can raise labor market readiness and community livability.

Library officials have not released a firm construction timeline, but the grant acceptance on December 20 sets the conversion and mural planning in motion. Residents can expect new programming to follow as the trailer is outfitted and the planned building improvements proceed.