PAWLET—Staff from the Pawlet Public Library and the Mettawee Community School recently met to solidify their partnership to promote reading through a grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLIF). The grant program encourages libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire towns of 5,000 residents or fewer to partner with schools and childcare centers to encourage a community-wide commitment to literacy.
The grant, awarded to the Pawlet Public Library, provides $2,000 in new children’s books for the library and $500 in new children’s books for the Mettawee Community School. Additionally, the award includes two professional storytelling presentations for all students in grades K-6 in the school, and two presentations for local childcare provider Meadow Wee Day Care. At the spring storytelling presentations, each child will have the opportunity to select two free books to take home. Pawlet Library’s CLIF grant is sponsored by Pawlet resident Meg Sullivan.
The Pawlet Library and Mettawee School literacy partnership continues with the initiation of level reader book bins at the library along with assistance in packing book bags for children to check out and take home, and a book reading program for Pre-K students to encourage them to read as many books as they can before kindergarten.
Pawlet Library child literacy coach, Catherine Hunter, offers free one-on-one and small group coaching for children and parents to engage in interactive book conversations and to select just right books for children.
Through an additional grant from CLIF, the Pawlet Library plans a free family dinner/story hour in the spring to highlight its new collection of children’s books.
For more information about the Pawlet Public Library’s children’s programs, contact the library at 802-325-3123 or stop in. The library is located at 141 School Street in Pawlet.
