OLD BRIDGE – In recognition of its efforts towards children’s literacy, the Old Bridge Public Library has been awarded a “Dia” grant from the American Library Association’s Association for Library Service to Children division.
Funded by the Dollar General Corp., the Dia grant (which stands for El día de los niños/El día de los libros – Children’s Day/Book Day), focuses on the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
The $2,000 grant will be used to purchase 10 Playaway Launch Pads, which are secure, pre-loaded learning tablets created for children’s use in a library setting. It will also be used to offer culturally diverse programs for youth, which will highlight and celebrate the multitude of ethnicities in Old Bridge, and lead to respectful communications and connections.
“The library has traditionally placed a strong emphasis on ESL (English as a Second Language) and literacy initiatives, and we are pleased that this grant will allow us to expand these initiatives to children,” Library Director Nancy Cohen said. “By offering these Launch Pads and programs for children to learn alongside our ESL students, families will have the opportunity to focus on learning English together and will value our library even more.”
The main branch of the library is located at 1 Old Bridge Plaza at the corner of Route 516 and Cottrell Road in the Municipal Center. For more information, visit www.oldbridgelibrary.org or call 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.
The satellite Laurence Harbor branch is located at 277 Shoreland Circle. For more information, call 732-566-2227.
