Stephen Siwinski
Communications Officer
5124635514
ssiwinski@tsl.texas.gov
Texas State Library and Archives Commission to Visit San Angelo to Present $80,000 Grant to Tom Green Library System
Friday, October 21, 2016 • Austin, Texas • News Release
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission will recognize the Tom Green County Library on October 27 with a check for $80,000 when the Commission holds its annual fall meeting, Thursday, October 26 in San Angelo. The Commission supports libraries, educational activities, and information services throughout the state and awards funds every year to libraries undertaking innovative projects. This year, agency commissioners gave the green light to 73 library grant awards throughout Texas totaling $2.1 million for public and academic libraries, and related nonprofit organizations.
The Tom Green County Library System’s award is for two programs to foster local partnership in support of educational resources and experiences for youth in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
The presentation will take place at 10 am during the Commission meeting which is open to the public at the Stephens Central Library. The seven commissioners are appointed by the Governor and are responsible for reviewing and approving the agency’s major policies, strategic plans, budgets and appropriations requests, contracts, internal audits, library grants, library accreditation standards, records management rules, and for overseeing the preservation and access to the Texas State Archives.
The Tom Green County Library’s grants are described as follows:
STEAM Central ($75,000)
With the assistance of dedicated community organizations, local businesses, artists, and hobbyists, the Tom Green County Library (TGCL) will convert unused library space into a makerspace and community outreach service point. This area will provide a place for users to share knowledge; access tools and equipment for making, creating, and tinkering; and to attend guided maker programs for all ages. In addition, the library will provide outreach kits and programs in computing, electronics, and robotics to area schools and after school programs. Requested funds will be used for the initial purchase of furnishings, equipment, and staffing.
There and Back Again ($5,000)
There and Back Again is a summer reading program that allows youth who are ready to advance out of children’s reading (third to fifth grade) to explore The Hobbit — There and Back Again through a month of related activities. The program is designed to expand reading ability and develop writing skills through a variety of creative exercises and allow readers to bridge from the Children’s Department to the Teen Republic – TGCL’s teen-dedicated department. A second month of activities will allow readers to continue their journey with The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The commission awards library grants annually through its Texas Reads, Impact, TexTreasures, Library Cooperation, and Special Projects grant programs. All are funded by the federal Library Services and Technology Act via the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C. The grant period for State Fiscal Year 2017 runs from September 1, 2016, to August 31, 2017.
More info about the Commission can be found here: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/agency/commission/index.html