The library relies on donations from our community as well as grants directed towards literacy and learning. This summer, we were fortunate enough to receive a $500 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to put towards our summer reading program. This grant is awarded to libraries across the country whose reading program is targeted at introducing school-age children to reading, assisting below grade level readers, and making reading accessible to those with learning disabilities. (For more information on the grant program, please visit their website at: DG Literacy Foundation)
While many of our donors make it onto our program brochures and flyers, this last-minute grant was unable to be included. So, we would like to thank them now.
Thank-you.
There are not enough words to express our gratitude. Your donation allows us to provide quality books to children of all ages as well as incentivize those struggling with reading.
Part of our summer reading program this year is to provide a free book to all registrants ages zero to seventeen. With this grant, we will be able to provide a wider variety of books to suit the various needs and interests of our program participants.
In addition to providing a free book, we offer a spin at our prize wheel simply for checking out a book. This encourages our patrons to return each week (or day even!) to find themselves something new to read. Our prize wheel is a highlight of the program that children ask about year-round. This donation will allow us to keep up with the increase in checkouts and offer them more than left-over prizes from previous years and other events.
While we’ve listed two of our likely uses for this donation, the options are truly endless. Our summer program is the busiest time of year, and with an increase in patronage, also comes an increase in problems: miscounted supplies, unexpected attendance, last-minute programs, etc.. With the grant we have peace of mind in knowing that whatever may happen can be overcome without sacrificing something else down the line.
So, again–thank-you.
If you are interested in joining our community of support, please consider donating to the Library Foundation. All proceeds go towards helping the Bedford Public Library System grow. This often takes the form of offering new services to patrons that they may not have access to otherwise, free family-friendly events designed to stimulate learning and a love for reading, ensuring that our buildings are accessible to all and able to accommodate anyone, and–of course–providing books of all interests to our community.