Stephenson Memorial Library receives grant

The historic reading room at Stephenson Memorial Library in Greenfield.

The historic reading room at Stephenson Memorial Library in Greenfield. —FILE PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Published: 06-22-2024 12:01 PM

Stephenson Memorial Library, 761 Forest Road in Greenfield, has been selected to receive a Rural Library Grant for the 2024-2025 school year from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF), a nonprofit located in Waterbury Center, Vt.

Awarded annually to 12 qualifying public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire, the grant is designed to help small-town libraries create excitement around literacy, update their collection, increase circulation and strengthen the library’s connection with the community.

“Stephenson Memorial Library’s mission is to provide lifelong learning opportunities for the residents of Greenfield through access to a vast array of ideas, information and resources. CLiF’s grant allows us to give the children of Greenfield new programming opportunities and new reading materials to enjoy. We are so excited for the children of Greenfield.” stated Library Director Ella Cademartori.

The grant provides $2,000 in new children’s books for the library, $500 in new books for Greenfield Elementary School, two storytelling events for children at Greenfield Elementary School or the library, two new books for each child at the school to select and take home and funding for mini-grants for special library programming over the course of the year.

“CLiF’s Rural Library Grant program is a wonderful way to support libraries by generating awareness and enthusiasm through in-person events and book giveaways for local children,” stated 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.”

“We are so excited that the Stephenson Memorial Library, with the resources provided by this grant, will now be in a position to engage our community in reading in ways that do not currently exist. The funds and programming will strengthen the bond that already exists between Greenfield Elementary School and the library and will allow even greater opportunities for collaboration, events and exposure to literature for our students,” stated Greenfield Elementary School Principal Shawne Hilliard.

To be considered for the grant, libraries serve towns with a total population of 5,000 or less. The Rural Library grant is one of CLiF’s longstanding programs, and CLiF has partnered with approximately 90% of libraries in both states that fall into that category.

CLiF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture a love of reading and writing children up to age 12 throughout under-resourced communities in New Hampshire and Vermont. Since 1998, CLiF has supported more than 350,000 young readers and writers through its literacy program grants and has given almost $10 million in new children's books. For information, visit clifonline.org.

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