Bolivar County Library System awarded Jenny Heroes grant
When Tamara Blackwell, Adults Services Librarian at Bolivar County Library System, discovered Jenny Jones’ website offering grants in the amount of $25,000 to heroes that better the community, she immediately talked with the Youth Services Librarian, Bobbie Matheney, about applying for the grant.
The Bolivar County Library System had recently received funding from the City of Cleveland for a renovation of the Robinson-Carpenter Library in Cleveland, but there were no funds for the other branches to renovate. Two Early Literacy Computers had recently been purchased for the Robinson-Carpenter Memorial Library, by the Friends of the Library and the Library Endowment Board. When these new tools for children proved very successful, the library staff looked for other ways to obtain these for the branches as well. What better way to upgrade the children’s areas in the branches!
On September 30th, Bobbie and Tamara were surprised by a conference call from the celebrity herself announcing the award of $25,000 to purchase items for their “dream” to better the entire county. Not only will new computers be purchased for each of the branches, but updated children’s furnishings will also be purchased. We applaud Bobbie and Tamara for finding funding that is not traditional funding for libraries.
Submitted by
Lynn F. Shurden
Director
Bolivar County Library System
Photo by the Bolivar County Library System
Bobbie Matheney (left) and Tamara Blackwell (right) on a conference call with Jenny Jones announcing the grant at the desk in the children’s department.
Entry Filed under: News
Posted on: October 8th, 2008
