Volusia County Public Library Wins 2024 NEFLIN Innovation Award

Dajuan Robinson receives his bike that allows him to travel to and from his job.

Daytona Beach, FL- The NEFLIN (Northeast Florida Library Information Network) Board of Directors has selected the Volusia County Public Library (VCPL) as the winner of the 2024 Innovation Award for their Pedal Forward Project.

Melissa Reynolds, Assistant Director of VCPL said, “Pedal Forward Project is a new concept for Volusia County’s Social Workers in Libraries program; enhancing it by offering tangible support to program participants who have demonstrated determination and resiliency for reentering the workforce but identify reliable transportation as an obstacle in finding or maintaining newly found jobs. 

Specifically, connecting participants with refurbished bicycles allows them a greater sense of self-reliance and independence, and affords them a wider search area for employment. The program also grants them greater flexibility for shift availability when not tethered to fixed bus routes, diminishes tardiness with established jobs, minimizes weather exposure via shorter travel times, improves the stamina necessary to maintain heavy work schedules for more labor-intensive jobs, and diminishes the Community’s waste footprint by keeping usable bicycles out of local landfills.”

The first set of bicycles to support the program came from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Foundation and the second batch came from VOTRAN.

VCPL will accept the award at the NEFLIN Annual Meeting on Friday, September 13, at the UNF Conference Center in Jacksonville.

Brad Ward, Executive Director of NEFLIN said, “Congratulations to VCPL on being chosen to receive the 2024 NEFLIN Innovation Award!”