WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., has once again been recognized by the state for its innovative and creative educational programs for children. The library recently received a Carolyne L. Smith Best Practices in Early Learning Award for Partnerships and/or Outreach by the Pennsylvania Library Association for the program, “Library Pilots Book Program with Local Bus Authority.”
The first-place program was designed by Jacquie Weaver, Programming Professional, and Nicole Rader, Youth Services and Programming Director at the Library. The program provided families and children who ride River Valley Transit buses the opportunity to read a book while on the bus or take a book home to build their home library.
With funding from Christ Episcopal Church, the Library purchased brand-new books that were then distributed to River Valley Transit Authority.
The idea for the program began when Rader was alerted to a need in the community from members of River Valley Transit. Families who ride local buses often were looking for something to read or do together while using the service.
“The Library values the community partnerships that help us broaden our impact – especially in promoting literacy to families and children who utilize public transportation,” Rader said.
“Both the public library and transit have a shared interest in providing important resources and services to the community. Buses deliver local residents to the James V. Brown Library and its partners in our transit service area,” said Theresa Bertucci, Special Services and Outreach Coordinator, River Valley Transit. “River Valley Transit is excited to work alongside the local library system for not only the new books on board program, but also creating and planning a ‘Read and Ride’ program in the future. We know we can reach more people together as a team.”
Since 2004, the Library has consistently won 24 first place or honorable mention awards for its early childhood programs.
The Library supports the PA Forward statewide initiative, which believes that when Pennsylvania residents improve their command of five types of literacy – basic, information, civic and social, health and financial – they can achieve greater success as students, parents, employees, consumers, as citizens. Libraries are community centers of information, technology and learning that will fuel educational and economic opportunity for all of our citizens.
The James V. Brown Library is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9
a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit
www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. Walk-in passport services are available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.
