Temple’s Mansfield Library will receive more than $10,000 in grant funding to go toward “Build a Better Storytime,” something that Director Beth Crooker is excited to move forward.
“”It will be really a game-changer,” she said.
The $10,138 grant comes from the second round of funding through American Rescue Plan Act and facilitated by the New Hampshire State Library. Librarians had to write grants on how they would spend the money, and Crooker chose to focus on building a better story time.
“Even in good years, it’s a little crowded,” she said of the library. Now, with COVID-19, the library was pushed to do even more outdoor programming, something for which it did not have quite enough of the desired materials.
The money will go toward new outdoor furniture and materials that could be on wheels for easier transportation: picnic tables, washable cushions, new furniture and books and materials for “storytime to go” backpacks.
“Any one of these items that we’d be purchasing, it’d put a strain on our budget,” Crooker said. “So to get all of these items at the same time, it’s exciting, and it will be transformative.”
The town needs to hold a public hearing to accept the funds, she said, but after that, the library intends to move forward as soon as possible to boost its programming. Crooker said that they’ll likely get moving on buying the materials in February, although they might hold off on some summer-specific items until the weather starts to warm up.
“When I think about all this stuff that I’m going to be able to order, it’ll feel like Christmas for weeks here,” she said.