Gilmanton library receives grant for books and events

GILMANTON — Gilmanton Year-Round Library has been selected to receive a Rural Library Grant for the 2024-25 school year from the Children’s Literacy Foundation. The non-profit organization is located in Waterbury Center, Vermont. 

Twelve qualifying public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire are receiving the grant.  The Rural Library 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.

“The Gilmanton Year-Round Library Association is thrilled to be a CLiF Rural Library Grant recipient.  This will benefit both the Gilmanton Year-Round Library and the Gilmanton School Library.  The goal of the Children’s Literacy Foundation aligns with our GYRLA mission to promote literacy in our community,” said Board of Directors President Chris Schlegel. “We applied for this grant realizing that it would provide an excellent opportunity to update our children’s book collection.  Additionally, the in-person programs provided through this grant are designed to engage children and the families within our community.”

In the spring of 2025, the grant will provide $2,000 in new children’s books for the public library and $500 in new books for the local elementary school.  In addition to the books, two storytelling events for children will be hosted and provide two new books for each child at the Gilmanton Elementary School to select and take home. 

“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,” 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.”

For more information, visit clifonline.org.