Here’s a reminder that the Libri Foundation donates new, quality, hardcover children’s books to small, rural public libraries through a recurring grant process. Several libraries in South Carolina have won these grants. The Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by your local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new children’s books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors contribute the matching funds. Each participating library selects books for children age 12 and under from a booklist provided by the Foundation. County libraries should serve a population under 16,000, should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children’s department. “Rural” is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000. A branch library may apply if the community it is in meets the definition of rural.
Remaining deadlines to apply for funds in 2007 are: (postmarked by) April 15th and August 15th. Find application guidelines and forms on the Foundation’s website: http://librifoundation.org/
