2 grants will help Evans City Library expand resources
The Evans City Public Library received a significant boost toward expanding its offerings in the form of two merit-based grants that together total $7,500 on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
The library was one of 13 across the commonwealth to be given the Excellent and Equitable Youth Services Local Library Grant in the amount of $5,000. That money can be used to build up its stock of fiction and non-fiction books for children and youth.
“It’s pretty wild, especially given it was two (grants) at the same time,” said director Adi Bracken. “Looking at that list, it’s amazing to be included. We are a small library, and in that list there were some from much larger counties. $5,000 for us for development goes an extremely long way.”
The second grant is known as the Sustaining Success Grant, which was for $2,500. The grant will help improve children’s spaces in addition to upgrading family resources and sensory materials.
Bracken said she went through an “intensive process” that is fairly standard when applying for federal grants. She said it took about 20 hours to complete, but the time spent was more than worth it.
“When I applied for the grant, they essentially ask you what your plan is,” Bracken said. “That $5,000 is going to be put toward materials for families with home-schooled children or children with disabilities. And then also more sensory materials because we’re really trying to build up our sensory collection.”
According to a Sept. 4 news release, the grants are federally funded through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to libraries that build inclusive collections for youths.
