The Mason Public Library has received a rural library grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation, or CLiF, which over the next year will provide funds for new books and programs and sponsor three author visits and book giveaways.

“We are over the moon about this,” said Library Director Judy Forty. “It is a really big deal.”

Forty said it was a competitive grant, with a total of 12 libraries – six in New Hampshire and six in Vermont – chosen.

The grant was eligible for libraries in towns under 5,000 people, under a particular budget. The goals of the grant are to create a culture of literacy in the community, build enthusiasm for the library and give children up to age 12 access to high-quality, age-appropriate books, and to strengthen the relationship between the library and local elementary school.

“CLiF’s Rural Library Grant is all about strengthening connections and building a community around literacy,” said CLiF Program Manager Cassie Willner. “In addition, we know how important it is to help small libraries update and diversify their children’s book collection and promote outreach through new titles and events.”

As part of the grant, the library will receive $2,000 to purchase new children’s books, and Mason Elementary School will also receive $500 for books for its classroom libraries. MES does not have a school library, with the Mason Public Library, which is located just across the street, filling that function.

“That is a huge gift, $2,000 worth of books,” Forty said. “That will ensure that every child that comes has a nice selection of books to choose from.”

Forty said when the school visits during their library block, over 100 Mason children check out books, usually taking multiple at a time.

“When they leave, the shelves are bare. An additional budget for more books for children, it’s really invaluable, it’s hard to put a value on how exceptional this gift is,” she said.

“Rural public libraries are vital resources to the communities they serve,” CLiF Executive Director Laura Rice said. “CLiF is proud to support the hard work of librarians across both states, and to help create enthusiasm around these rare spaces where all are welcome. 

The library will receive an additional $1,000 to run a library event or program. Forty said the library’s current event budget is about $2,700, making an additional $1,000 a big boost for programming budgets.  Forty said that $2,700 is currently stretched over six weeks of summer programming, holiday events like the Easter Egg hunt, and the Tuesday Tot Time. 

Also included in the grant is funds to create “early childhood literacy kits” aimed at children 5 and younger, which parents can check out. The kits will include books and activities centered around a specific theme, such as sharing or making friends.

In addition to the physical materials, the library will also be hosting three author-illustrator visits, one at the end of the summer, one during the fall and one next spring, either at the library or the Mason Elementary School. During two of those events, children will walk away with free books to take home and keep. 

“It’s really huge for this small library and the town,” Forty said. “I think it’s going to make a great impact on the students, and all of the children.”