The Britton Public Library has received a boost for its children’s collection after being selected as a recipient of the Pilcrow Foundation’s Children’s Book Project Grant.
Through the grant, the library received 100 children’s and juvenile books valued at $1,204, helping offset recent budget reductions while expanding reading opportunities for local youth.
Library officials said the grant comes at an important time. The library’s operating budget, funded primarily by the City of Britton, has been reduced over the past two years, including about $2,000 in cuts to the materials budget. Those reductions have limited the library’s ability to purchase new books for children, teens, adults and large-print readers.
Because the Pilcrow Foundation supplied the children’s books, the library can now redirect its limited materials budget toward strengthening its adult, young adult and large-print collections while still providing new titles for younger readers.
The new books will also support several of the library’s literacy programs, including the Summer Reading Program, Building Buddies, Junior Crafts and the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Library officials said the books will be shared by hundreds of children over the coming years, encouraging literacy, learning and a lifelong love of reading.
The grant required matching funds, which were provided with the help of the Friends of the Britton Public Library. The organization contributed $400 toward the match, helping make the award possible.
In addition to the Pilcrow Foundation grant, the library also received donations of children’s books from Hal Berenson, Laura Ackerman, Dr. Bill Strawbridge, Meg Wallhagen, Marc Nitsche, Jonathan Warm Day Coming, Samantha Childs and Hannah Farr.
Library officials expressed their appreciation to the Pilcrow Foundation, the Friends of the Britton Public Library and the individual donors.
