Carla Clark | For The Republic One of the dresses with and a pair of shoes that will be available through Promject Runway organized by Drew Moran and hosted by the Bartholomew County Public Library, Columbus, Ind., Friday, February 23, 2024.
Bartholomew County Public Library staff are helping teens who may need assistance in going to prom by providing the attire essentials.
The library will host “Promject Runway” on March 29 in the teen section from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., where teens needing assistance may browse for free prom dresses, suits, shoes and more.
“It’s just a function to allow anyone that might need prom apparel for any reason to come shop and have that fun experience and take away everything they need for free,” said BCPL’s Drew Moran, who organized the event.
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. students are out of school that day for Good Friday, giving them a chance to stop by the library and browse the collection.
“We’ll have volunteers from the library working to help people pick out their outfits and we’ll have a place for them to try things on,” Moran said.
The effort has already received more than 100 donated dresses, Moran said, the majority of which came from the Johnson County Public Library where there’s a similar event called “Project Prom.”
BCPL also received donations from community members and Columbus-based Sophia’s Bridal Tux & Prom.
Inspiration for the name was drawn from JCPL’s event and a popular reality TV show with a fashion focus.
“I was a big fan of ‘Project Runway’ so I just bashed those together,” Moran said.
“Project Prom” and Brown County’s “Glass Slipper Event” may be within an hour drive, but Moran recognized the need for something closer for those in the community.
“While JCPL allows people from outside of their county to attend their project, it’s not feasible for people to drive that distance to get their dress on whatever day they hold “Project Prom” — they do two weekends now but still, that might not be possible for people that don’t have the ability to travel,” she said.
The library event is still in need of shoes, suits, ties, and dresses, Moran said, and donations can be dropped off at any of the Columbus branch’s desks during open hours.
Those interested can register for the event online at mybcpl.org/event/10084362.
BCSC’s prom, at The Commons, traditionally takes place during the first weekend in May.
