Toledo Public Library receives a grant from the Pilcrow Foundation’s Children’s Book Project

The Toledo Public Library is proud to announce that is has received a grant from the Pilcrow Foundation’s Children’s Book Project. To qualify for the grant, libraries must be located in a rural area within the 50 United States, have a limited operating budget, have an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor. Located more than 25 miles from an urban area (population over 50,000) and serving a population under 10,000, the Toledo Public Library met the qualifications making it eligible to apply for the grant.

In its fifth year, the Pilcrow Foundation is a national non-profit public charity. Its mission is to provide new, quality, hardcover children’s books to rural public libraries across the United States: “We recognize the importance of public libraries in rural communities. Libraries are often the center of the community, where people come together to learn and share ideas. Providing quality children’s books to rural public libraries ensures an opportunity for active engagement within the community and lifelong learning. We know that reading to and with children every day and providing them with frequent opportunities to read on their own are important activities for literacy development. Literacy is the greatest gift we can give to our children; the public library is where we can start.”

The Pilcrow Foundation provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public library grant recipients who contribute $200-$400 through local sponsors. Georgia Pacific Corporation of Toledo contributed the maximum amount of $400, qualifying the library to receive up to $1200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books.  The Toledo Public Library staff is very grateful for the contributions of both the Pilcrow Foundation and Georgia Pacific! Soon new books will be on our shelves for children to enjoy; that is priceless!