Charleston County Public Library is launching a new family literacy initiative with funds awarded by the Ezra Jack Keats Minigrant Program.
The library's project was the only one in South Carolina to receive a grant from the Keats Foundation. Created in 1987 by the late Caldecott award-winning children's book author and illustrator, the grant program supports arts and literacy programs by funding projects that will inspire students and promote a love for reading. Only 26 projects in the country received grants.
CCPL's program revolves around Anna McQuinn's book Lola at the Library, which tells the story of a young girl, Lola, who visits her local library each week with her mother. Called Lola's Library Bags, the library's project will involve 100 families living in the areas around the John L. Dart and the Cooper River Memorial branch libraries.
As part this outreach effort, librarians will work with children and their caregivers to teach effective read-aloud strategies, to share information about the library's pre-literacy resources and programs and to help each child create a personalized library bag.
CCPL's grant proposal was developed by Pam Cadden, children's services coordinator, Kim Odom, children's librarian (John L. Dart Branch), Kathy Sanders, children's librarian (Cooper River Memorial Branch), and Sarah Petkus, a VISTA employee who is working with both branches to promote reading to families in those areas.
The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation awards mini-grants to public schools and public libraries for projects that will promote creative expression, cooperation and interaction within diverse communities. Since it began 24 years ago, the foundation has awarded more than a half million dollars in grants.
For more information, contact Jamie Thomas, Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Charleston County Public Library, 843.805.6817 or thomasj@ccpl.org.
