Earlier this year, through a competitive process, the foundation solicited grant proposals from libraries to fund programs that increase technology and literacy skills for disabled and special-needs individuals. After receiving nearly 30 grant applications, the foundation awarded a total of $150,931 in grants to 19 nonprofit public libraries, reflecting a diverse array of innovative programs.
"Public libraries are some of our communities' greatest assets, offering literacy resources to everyone in a safe, educational atmosphere," said James V. O'Rourke, president and CEO, Verizon Pennsylvania. "Through these grants, libraries will be able to enhance or implement programs that will give special-needs individuals an opportunity to enjoy many of the libraries' treasures -- everything from using assistive technology to gather knowledge to compete for jobs, to reading a newspaper electronically, to downloading audio books. Verizon is proud to support programs like these in our communities."
The libraries awarded grants are: Blairsville Public Library, Blairsville - $8,000; Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown - $10,000; Cambria Library Association, Johnstown - $7,000; Carnegie Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped, Pittsburgh - $10,000; Fallsington Library Inc., Fallsington - $9,850; The Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia - $10,000; Friends of the Township Library of Lower Southampton Inc., Feasterville - $9,850; Indiana Free Library, Indiana - $7,000; Lebanon County District Library, Lebanon - $9,050; Lititz Public Library, Lititz - $9,800; Meyersdale Public Library, Meyersdale - $4,450; Monroe County Public Library, Stroudsburg - $7,000; Osterhout Free Library, Wilkes-Barre - $9,500; Oxford Public Library, Oxford - $1,500; Riegelsville Public Library, Riegelsville - $7,000; Sayre Public Library Inc. Sayre - $6,000; Union City Public Library, Union City - $7,556; Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale - $9,375; Westmoreland County Federated Library System, Monessen - $8,000.
In 2004, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than 26,000 grants totaling over $70 million to charitable and nonprofit agencies that focus on improving literacy, computer and technology skills and identifying domestic violence solutions. The foundation uses its resources in the United States and abroad to develop partnerships in technology and connect them with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and the economically and socially disadvantaged.
