For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Christina Kourteva, Executive Director
CKourteva@sno-isle.org / 360.547.2955
The Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation has been awarded a generous grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The two-year, $100,000 grant will provide general operating support and Sno-Isle Libraries plans to use the funds to continue early literacy efforts and programs with a focus on social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. This funding will help ensure all our customers are represented in the library and have equitable access to knowledge and resources.
The grant will also help Sno-Isle Libraries address current and emerging needs, such as demonstration libraries and capital improvements throughout the Library District to help our community spaces remain inspiring, welcoming, and inclusive.
“Philanthropy plays an essential role in the long-term success of public libraries, and we are extremely pleased and appreciative of the generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” says Christina Kourteva, Executive Director of the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation. “This substantial grant is a testament to the value of public libraries, and the Foundation looks forward to investing the funds in expanding the reach of library services, promoting civic engagement, and fostering a lifetime of learning.“
Programs supported by the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation include Third-Graders Read Together, which encourages third-graders in nearly 100 schools in Snohomish and Island counties to have fun and enjoy reading while honing their literacy and teamwork skills; Summer Reading, which helps students strengthen and retain critical skills gained during the school year; Express Lockers, which provide 24/7 access to library materials; enhancing the Sno-Isle Libraries collections; providing funding for the acquisition of laptop computers and Wi-Fi hotspots to help bridge the Digital Divide for economically stressed families and students, and more.
About Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of Sno-Isle Libraries, the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation partners with individuals, businesses, foundations, corporations, and community organizations to fund innovative and inspiring programs throughout the Sno-Isle Library District to expand the capacity of the library to serve more people.
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