$19K Awarded To New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Mountainside Libraries

BERKELEY HEIGHTS-NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Mountainside were among the 20 local public libraries to receive funding through the 2017 Union County Library Grant program.

Berkeley Heights received $4,500, New Providence received $7,499.42 and Mountainside received $7,500 out of the $146,968 in total provided.

“Our local public libraries enable every child to access many different pathways to knowledge,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “In particular, keeping up with today’s digital resources can be a challenge for libraries given the cost of procuring up-to-date technology. County funding can help fill that gap and ensure every child has a chance to learn.”

Libraries can use their Union County grant award to upgrade facilities, programming, materials and equipment that directly benefit children’s literature and activities.

The annual grant initiative was launched in 2015 by Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski with the goal of helping local, non-school libraries strengthen their programming for children.

The library grant program is administered through the Trust Fund and uses non-tax dollars from fees at the County’s two golf courses.

2017 Union County Library Grant Awardees:

• Berkeley Heights $4,500
• Clark $7,500
• Cranford $7,496
• Elizabeth $7,500
• Fanwood $7,500
• Garwood $7,500
• Hillside $7,500
• Kenilworth $7,500
• Linden $7,500
• Mountainside $7,500
• New Providence $7,499.42
• Plainfield $7,500
• Rahway $7,500
• Roselle $7,500
• Roselle Park $7,500
• Scotch Plains $7,500
• Springfield $7,500
• Summit $7,500
• Union $7,500
• Westfield $7,500
• Total $146,968.48

(Image via Shutterstock)

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