HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recently allocated over $37,000 in grant funding to support 15 libraries across the state. This funding aims to bolster existing programs within the Family Place Libraries initiative in Pennsylvania.
Education Secretary Khalid N. Mumin highlighted the critical role that libraries play in communities, stating, “The Sustaining Success local library grants are just one of the many grant funding opportunities available to libraries throughout Pennsylvania, and they help libraries continue to provide tools, resources, and learning spaces for learners.” This initiative underscores the state’s commitment to nurturing learning environments and community hubs.
The Bureau of Library Development has been instrumental in integrating Pennsylvania libraries into the national Family Place Libraries network for over two decades. These libraries serve as community centers, providing early childhood information, parent education, socialization, emergent literacy, and family support. The Play and Grow initiative complements these efforts, offering similar benefits with fewer participation barriers.
The 15 libraries awarded grants include:
- Abington Community Library, Lackawanna County
- Allentown Public Library, Lehigh County
- Chester County Library, Chester County
- Columbia County Library, Columbia County
- Evans City Public Library, Butler County
- Ford City Public Library, Armstrong County
- Genesee Area Library, Potter County
- Hamburg Public Library, Berks County
- North Wales Area Library, Montgomery County
- Parkland Community Library, Lehigh County
- Quarryville Library, Lancaster County
- Ridley Park Library, Delaware County
- Somerset County Library, Somerset County
- William Jeanes Memorial Library, Montgomery County
- York County Library System, York County
The grants will be used to update childhood and parenting spaces in these libraries, enhancing resources for young children and parents. This funding is part of the ongoing support from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, which aims to sustain and expand successful library programs benefiting both librarians and the communities they serve.
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