Literacy Grants for Rural Libraries

The Children's Literacy Foundation has provided grants for rural public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire to purchase children's books for their libraries, as well as storytelling presentations for local preschools and elementary schools in those towns.  

Through their Rural Libraries program, CLiF provides resources to rural libraries (located in a town of 5,000 residents or fewer) to encourage literacy.  Each library that is approved for the sponsorship receives the following:

• $2,000 in new, high-quality children’s books for the public library (selected by public librarian)

• 25 new books for the school library (selected by school librarian)

• A total of four storytelling presentations at the elementary school and childcare centers

• Brand-new books for all participating children from birth through grade six 

(Children's Literacy Foundation, 2014)

This sponsorship allows rural public libraries and school librarians to purchase materials they may not have been able to afford otherwise.  Providing children with new materials is a great way to spark or encourage an interest in reading.  The storytelling presentations are another way to engage students and build literacy skills.  

While this particular program is only available in Vermont and New Hampshire, similar programs and grants to encourage literacy exist, and they are just a small example of the many resources that are available to libraries willing to do a little research.

Children's Literacy Foundation. (2014). Rural libraries sponsorship webpage. Retrieved from http://clifonline.org/literacy-programs/rural-libraries/