DeLauro Announces Federal Support

For New Haven Free Public Library

WASHINGTON , D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today announced a federal grant from the Partnership for a Nation of Learners – a leadership initiative of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Institute of Museum and Library Services – for the New Haven Free Public Library.  The grant of $250,000 will allow the library and its partners to support community and family learning by expanding the Parents and Communities for Kids (PACK) initiative.  PACK targets underserved neighborhoods that have not traditionally participated in arts activities by encouraging parents to take advantage of learning activities at local libraries to help educate their children. 

“With this grant, the New Haven Free Public Library is bridging a gap in our community,” said DeLauro.  “The library will expand the PACK initiative to reach out to those parents who may not be aware of the resources provided by the library so that they may educate their children.  This initiative expands our community’s access to the arts and education and passes along that appreciation to future generations.  I congratulate the library on this funding.” 

“The New Haven Free Public Library is pleased to receive this IMLS grant along with our partners Connecticut Children's Museum and Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. in order to advance family learning and cultural collaboration in New Haven ,” said City Librarian James Welbourn. “This grant will leverage both private and corporate contributions to the two year initiative.”

“The Connecticut Children's Museum is honored to be a partner of the Greater New Haven Family Learning Partnership and is committed to supporting parents in their role as their child's first and best teacher,” said Sandy Malmquist, Connecticut Children's Museum.  “We will work with Connecticut Public Broadasting and New Haven area organizations to identify our many innovative, inviting and literacy-rich classrooms for family learning and to spread the word about the importance of a broad family learning and to spread the word about the importance of a broad family learning landscape, accessible to all.”

Jerry Franklin, President and CEO of Connecticut Public Broadcasting added “Connecticut Public Television is extremely proud to be a partner in this collaboration.  As a PBS station that dedicates more than 60 Broadcast hours of children's programming weekly, we truly understand the impact that this family learning initiative will have on parents and children in New Haven and the state.”

Partnership for a Nation of Learners Community Collaboration Grants are intended to strengthen the ability of museums, libraries, and public broadcasters to work together to help audiences gain knowledge, skills, and resources to enhance their engagement in community, work, family and society.