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Each year the Friends of the Library awards grants to the Library to support programs, collections and library operations. The approved list of grants for 2024 is as follows:
Youth & Family Services Programming
The Library is dedicated to providing enriching and educational experiences for children of all ages by offering engaging and educational experiences. In 2023, the Library provided 227 programs targeted at children ages 0-5 with 13,346 participants, and 112 programs targeted at children ages 6-11 with 6,448 participants. In 2024 they hope to increase our offerings for the 6-11 age group in 2024, based on patron feedback and new staffing capacity.
Adult & Information Services Programming
The Library is dedicated to providing engaging and enriching experiences for adult and intergenerational audiences in the community. Their programming, ranging from seasonal reading programs to book clubs, workshops, and educational seminars, aims to cultivate inspirational lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and community connections. In 2023, the Library hosted 328 programs tailored for adults aged 19 and older, attracting 4,800 attendees. Additionally, we hosted 21 intergenerational programs with 1,332 attendees. Through this grant they aim to further enhance the quality and reach of the adult and intergenerational programming. By offering a diverse range of events that cater to the interests and needs of the patrons, this contribution will enable the Library to secure experts, acquire necessary materials, and effectively promote their events, ensuring maximum participation and impact.
Youth & Family Services Audiobook Collection
The Library is eager to introduce a new Audiobook collection for children, utilizing innovative Yoto brand players and story cards. The recent surge in inquiries from our patrons regarding this technology underscores the growing interest in and need for these resources. Yoto players are uniquely designed for children, providing a user-friendly experience where kids simply insert a Yoto story card, akin to a credit card, into the player and the story begins playing. Even our youngest library visitors can easily navigate these devices independently. Moreover, Yoto players offer versatility as they accommodate a wide range of content, from picture books to chapter books, ensuring they remain relevant as children grow. Additionally, the availability of blank cards enables children to record and share their own stories, fostering creativity and engagement. By circulating Yoto players along with packs of cards, the Library aims to enhance its offerings in alignment with their 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. Specifically, this initiative will support their objectives to increase both on-site and online access to resources that promote literacy skills, raise awareness of the library’s programs and services within the community, and diversity within the collections they lend. Moreover, through this project, the Library aspires to identify and serve currently underserved communities by crafting initiatives tailored to their needs.
Museum Pass Program
The Friends have generously funded the museum pass program since 2009. We currently have 27 passes from 24 institutions located in New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Museum passes are available to borrow by East Greenbush Community Library cardholders and Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library. Their request for funding covers the current cost of the passes with a small cushion for some likely price increases plus the cost to cover the addition of six new passes.
Summer Reading Programs & Supplies
The “Adventure Begins at Your Library” summer reading program, hosted by the East Greenbush Community Library, aims to ignite a passion for reading among children and teens. This initiative combats summer learning loss by engaging participants in diverse activities that promote literacy and community involvement. With a program rich in books, storytelling, and educational games, the Library aims to inspire daily adventures- from exploring new books to imagining trips to the moon.
Teen Supplies
As a crucial community hub, the East Greenbush Community Library recognizes the importance of supporting our teens, especially during the critical after-school hours. To enhance the Library’s existing youth and family services, funding was requested to enable the Library to provide nutritious snacks, essential period supplies, engaging reading materials, and personalized book boxes. These services aim to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes health, well-being, and educational engagement among teenagers.
Fish Tank Maintenance Service & Supplies
The Children’s room fish tank is home to several types of fish which requires regular cleaning and servicing to keep the fish healthy. This work is conducted by Marine Design and Service.
Family Engagement Supplies
The East Greenbush Community Library is committed to creating a vibrant, engaging, and inclusive environment that encourages learning and discovery for all ages. To further this mission, the Library requested a grant to enhance their monthly family engagement activities. These funds will support the costs associated with their popular Scavenger Hunts, creative Take & Make Project Kits, enriching Storywalk installations, and necessary supplies such as diapers to facilitate participation by families with young children.
Playroom Toys
The purpose of this grant was to enrich the Children’s playroom with essential learning tools designed to promote cognitive development and social skills among young children. This proposal requested support for a replacement Lego board, train table, play kitchen toys, and puzzles. These resources will provide safe, engaging, and educational opportunities for children to learn through play, supporting the overall development and preparation for school.
Library of Things Collection
The purpose of this grant was to enhance the Library’s innovative Library of Things, a collection that provides community members with access to non-traditional library items. By expanding this collection, we aim to substantially increase the library’s utility and relevance, offering tools, technology, and recreational items that foster lifelong learning and enhance leisure activities. The existing collection, which has been meticulously curated based on community feedback, includes unique items like snowshoes, Nintendo Switch consoles, Roku devices preloaded with subscription services, VHS conversion kits, and portable power units. An additional grant for Adult Library of Things items was approved at the September 11, 2024 meeting.
Staff / Volunteers
This grant supports the library in maintaining a motivated and well-trained team, ultimately enhancing the quality of services they provide to patrons. Through professional development, training and appreciation events staff will be equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to serve the community effectively, while also being recognized for their ongoing dedication and hard work.
Digital Resources
Funding for hoopla service will be instrumental in expanding the library’s collection and make a broad range of e-books, audiobooks, music, and movies available to patrons. Hoopla offers a diverse and accessible digital library experience, and its resources are especially crucial in our effort to provide equitable access to information and entertainment for all community members. With the increasing demand for digital content and the growing need for accessible resources, the library is keen to continue to funding the hoopla collection to better serve patrons.