CHESTER, PA – Literacy Access Fund, a 501(c)(3), public charity, announces a grant award of $10,000 to the Reading Public Library Foundation in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Literacy Access Fund secures funding from corporate, foundation, and individual partners in order to provide financial support to underfunded public libraries through a competitive granting process. The goal of the organization is to help libraries provide equal access to quality resources for young learners, regardless of economic factors.
The award to the Foundation, which raises money for use at the Reading Public Library, was made possible through partnership funding from Univest Bank and Trust Co., based in Souderton, PA. The grant will help fund the acquisition of state-of-the-art technology for young children and other library resources.
Kenneth A. Haupt, President of the Reading Public Library Foundation’s Board of Directors, noted the Board’s gratitude to Literacy Access Fund for the award. “This award demonstrates the commitment that the Reading Public Library staff, volunteers, and board members all share in ensuring that access and sharing of informational materials remains critical to learning and literacy development in our community. The staff should be commended on their continuous efforts in making our library facilities so incredibly welcoming to people looking to learn and expand their love of reading.”
“This generous grant from Literacy Access Fund will help us close the digital divide at the Reading Public Library,” according to Bronwen Gamble, Executive Director of the Library. “Providing the quality tools and programs we need for STEM education will help us prepare children for school and beyond in the 21st century.”
Deborah B. Sorgi, Ed.D., Chair, Director & President of Literacy Access Fund, shared her thoughts. “Literacy Access Fund is pleased to support the Reading Public Library’s initiatives to add technology to enhance literacy skills in an engaging, interactive way. Ms. Gamble’s short- and long-term goals will reach residents who cannot easily access the library by bringing mobile technology and STEM programs into the surrounding community.” Dr. Sorgi also noted, “We continue to identify and support deserving public libraries to help their littlest members read and succeed in school and life.”
