Wicomico Public Library Receives American Dream Grant

Wicomico Public Library Receives American Dream Grant

SALISBURY, MD – January 9, 2013 – The American Library Association and Dollar General Foundation have chosen the Wicomico Public Library to participate in the 2013 American Dream Starts @ your library national grant program. The Library will receive $15,000 to support outreach to county residents who are learning English and becoming citizens. The Library is one of 150 American Dream libraries nationwide, and one of only eleven that received funding in 2012 and 2013.

Funds will be used to build capacity, strengthen literacy services and reach out to new library customers. In 2010, the Library expanded its language learning collection, provided information on library services in several languages, and conducted open house programs and tours to introduce library services. This year, in response to needs identified in the community, plans are to create a language learning computer lab. This will provide access to online language programs, citizenship education programs, basic skills programs and more.

Community groups and individuals from throughout the county are invited to provide input into plans on how to maximize benefits from the lab and how to effectively reach out to people who need the service. Please contact the Outreach Department at 410-749-3612 ext. 140 with input.

Wicomico Public Library has its main facility in downtown Salisbury and two small branches in the Centre at Salisbury and Pittsville, a computer access station in Bivalve, and a bookmobile. The library offers free Internet access, a variety of classes and events, as well as materials for loan including popular music CDs and DVD titles. Computer use, classes and events are free and open to the public.

Wicomico Public Library: Supporting Learning, Building Community, Enriching Lives!