Maclure Library receives grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation

The Maclure Library in Pittsford  has been selected to receive a Rural Library Grant for the 2023-2024 school year from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF), a nonprofit located in Waterbury Center. 

Awarded annually to 12 qualifying public libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire, the Rural Library Grant is designed to help small-town libraries create excitement around literacy, update the collection, increase circulation, and strengthen the library’s connection with the community.

“We’re really looking forward to the collaboration with Lothrop,” said Maclure Youth Librarian Sophie Marks. “Our summer CLiF events in the past have been very popular, so I’m excited to be able to reach even more kids during the school year.” 

Christine Tate, the Lothrop School Librarian, agreed, “This grant will give us an opportunity to put more books into the hands of young readers!”

The grant provides $2,000 in new children’s books for the public library, $500 in new books for the local elementary school, two storytelling events for children at the local elementary school, two new books for each child in attendance to choose, and funding for mini-grants for special library programming over the course of the year.

“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. Our ultimate goal here at CLiF and through this grant is to inspire kids to love reading and writing.”

To be considered for the grant, libraries must be located in towns with a population of 5,000 or less. The Rural Library grant is one of CLiF’s longstanding programs, and CLiF has partnered with approximately 90 percent of libraries in both states that fall into that category. 

The 2023-2024 CLiF Rural Library grantees are:

Alden Balch Memorial Library in Lunenberg, VT

Allenstown Public Library in Allenstown, NH

Fairlee Public Library in Fairlee, VT

Harrisville Public Library in Harrisville, NH

Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol, VT

Maclure Library in Pittsford, VT

Marc A. Hurzeler M.D. Library in Jefferson, NH

New Durham Public Library in New Durham, NH

Olivia Rodham Memorial Library in Nelson, NH

Patten Library in North Haverhill, NH

Rochester Public Library in Rochester, VT

Sheldon Municipal Library in Sheldon, VT

CLiF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture a love of reading and writing among children up to age 12 at higher risk of growing up with low literacy skills throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. Since 1998, CLiF has supported and inspired over 350,000 young readers and writers through its literacy program grants and has given almost $10 million in new, high ­quality children’s books. 

For more information about CLiF, visit  clifonline.org.