Stephentown Memorial Library recently received 82 new books for children and young adults thanks to The Libri Foundation “Books for Children” Grant. The Library was also selected to receive $350 worth of math and science books. The total amount of donated books is valued at over $1,400. Libraries may apply to the Libri Foundation grant every three years. This is the third time the Stephentown Memorial Library has received this generous grant.
[private]Director Laurenne Teachout wrote the grant for the library and was pleased to receive the award. “We are very excited to add these new books to our collection,” Teachout said. “We’re always trying to provide more for the youth in our community, and these books will definitely help us with our mission.”
The matching funds came from memorial donations made in memory of Malcolm Cass, father of David Cass of East Nassau. “We have wonderful community support, and we appreciate it so much,” Teachout said. “Our children are our future, and reading is the key to their success.”
The Libri Foundation was established in 1989 for the sole purpose of helping rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children’s books they could not otherwise afford. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated over $4,600,000 worth of new children’s books to more than 3,000 libraries in 49 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. The Foundation supports the concept that children who learn to enjoy reading at an early age continue to read throughout their lives. In order to develop a love of reading, children must have access to books which stretch their imaginations, touch their emotions and expand their horizons.
“We are so proud of the books we have received from the Libri Foundation, from easy-reading books for pre-school and early grades, up to books for junior high and high school level,” said Teachout. “Because of this grant, and also through the matching support from the Malcolm Cass memorial fund, our Library has increased the number of valuable resources we can offer the children of our community.”
The grant given to the Stephentown Memorial Library will help to defray budget cuts that all libraries are facing. The books are now on display at the Library and are available for checkout.
The Stephentown Memorial Library is located at 472 Route 43 in Stephentown. For more information, please call 518-733-5750.
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