Contact: Sarah Dentan
(510.981.6195)
Funds will be used to develop services for very young children and their families.
The Berkeley Public Library recently received grant of $15,000 in federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the California State Library. This money will be used to develop a Family Place Library Project at the Central Library in downtown Berkeley. The Family Place Library Project includes creating a space in the Central Children’s Room devoted to the needs of children from birth to five, their parents and caregivers. The area will feature books, toys and dramatic play materials that enable and support child development. A collection of parenting materials and local agency information will be available to support parents of young children. A five-week workshop for children and their caregivers, introducing staff from local family-serving organizations, will be held next year as part of the project. “This grant provides us the opportunity to expand our services to very young children and their families,” said Donna Corbeil, Berkeley Public Library Director. “Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent and caregiver involvement and supportive communities play a critical role in young children’s growth and development. Working collaboratively with others who provide services for families with young children, our staff will ensure that all families have access to the resources and experiences they need.”
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