Whiting Library is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a Rural Library Grant for the 2024-2025 school year from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF), a nonprofit located in Waterbury Center, Vt. 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 their collections, increase circulation, and strengthen their connection with the community.

Youth Librarian Carrie King and Library Director Gail Zachariah are excited about the possibilities the Rural Library Grant will bring to Whiting Library. “We have an opportunity to update the Youth Department with fresh copies of well-loved classics and new titles that we would not have been able to purchase without these additional funds. We can also focus on outreach and programming to the children, parents, and caregivers of the Chester and Andover community, explained director Zachariah.

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 or library, two new books for each child at the school to select and take home, and funding for mini-grants for special library programming over 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 collection and promote outreach through new titles and events.”

In her letter of support, Katalin Welch, Library Media Specialist at Chester Andover Elementary School library, explained the importance of this collaboration by saying that “there are students who enter our school without library experience. The rural libraries grant will provide an opportunity for both libraries to work together and bring books and storytelling into our students’ lives; and introduce students to the Whiting Library and its services.”

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

CLiF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture a love of reading and writing children up to age 12 throughout under-resourced communities in New Hampshire and
Vermont. Since 1998, CLiF has supported and inspired over 350,000 young readers and writers through its literacy program grants. It has given almost $10 million in new, high ­quality
children’s books. For more information about CLiF, visit www.clifonline.org.

Whiting Library is dedicated to serving the community by providing access to a wide range of information, resources, and services. Our mission is to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and a love for reading in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 am. to 2 p.m.