The Fremont County Library Foundation has awarded $40,811 in grants for county library-oriented programs in 2020-21.
$14,000 is for learning support, $1,136 for movie licensing, $3,200 for periodical subscriptions, $9,000 for purchase of “ebooks” through Overdrive, and $13,475 for library marketing.
The $14,000 awarded for “Learning Support During a Pandemic” helps The Fremont County Library System meet its mission of “contributing to healthy, vibrant communities by enriching lives and engaging minds in Fremont County.”
The learning support project will be conducted at the county libraries in Lander and Riverton, according to Riverton Branch Library Manager Shari Haskins.
The county library system’s learning support project was partly created with the help of the University of Wyoming Literacy Center.
“After assessing our community needs, it’s evident that a public library has the opportunity to help support and influence formal learning. This project is an excellent way to support our local school systems, independent and home-school learners and their guardians, provide independent and small group (social distancing) quality reinforced fundamentals and conceptual learning and skills, and play can be part of this experience.” -Riverton Branch Library Manager Shari Haskins
Haskins cited the Association for Library Science to Children: “While playing, children learn about their world, acquire skill necessary for critical thinking, problem solving and develop self-confidence.”
Haskins said pre-registration in learning support is required for “safety reasons and quality.” To register, contact Haskins at the Riverton Branch Library ([email protected]), or Lander Library Manager/Interim County Library Director Anita Marple ([email protected]).
“We have discovered from other projects that parents find libraries are important and essential for their children, and lower-income families are more likely to say very important. Guardians drive the success of a program/project,” Haskins said.
The $13,475 marketing grant for promotion of The Fremont County Library System and its libraries in Lander, Riverton, and Dubois will be spent at the Wind River Radio Network ($3,000) and WyoToday.com ($900), County10.com ($4,000), KOVE-KDLY Radio ($3,000), Wyoming Public Radio ($1,615), and local newspapers ($960).