Old Bridge, NJ – March 18, 2016 – 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 and literacy initiatives, and we are pleased that this grant will allow us to expand these initiatives to children,” noted Library Director Nancy Cohen. “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 Old Bridge Public Library was recently voted “Best Public Library in Middlesex County” by the readers of the Home News Tribune. The Library is open seven-days-a-week and is located at 1 Old Bridge Plaza at the corner of Rt. 516 and Cottrell Road in the Municipal Center. More information about Library programs, as well as program registration, can be found at www.oldbridgelibrary.org or by calling 732-721-5600 x5033. The satellite Laurence Harbor branch is located at 277 Shoreland Circle; phone: 732-566-2227.
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