Several local library branches will be benefiting from extra funding they can use at their discretion.
Funding was announced for four New York Public Library branches straddling the north-central part of the borough totaling $60,000 on Tuesday, August 21. The announcement was made at the Mosholu branch in Norwood.
The funding will be allocated in equally to the Allerton, Morris Park, Mosholu and Pelham Parkway-Van Nest branches, with managers telling the Bronx Times that they planned on using the extra funding for everything from technology upgrades to youth programs.
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez secured the funding via her discretionary allocation from the state, she said.
The assemblywoman said that she initially thought of funding schools in her district, and would still like to do so.
However, due to the size of the allocation, it seemed it was more appropriate to fund the four libraries in her district, she said.
“Seeing that the wonderful work that they do, the programs that they offer and seeing how active that they are I see this money would be best utilized here,” said Fernandez. “We have elders, youth, young adults and children’s that utilize our libraries.”
The assemblywoman said her first library card was issued at the Mosholu branch, where the announcement was made and where she has attended many events.
“I see the beauty of what they can produce and what they are doing for the community,” said Fernandez. “I am happy to be able to help them.”
The branches will use the funding to meet different discretionary needs.
Jane Addison-Amoyaw, the branch manager at the Mosholu branch said that the funding would be used to upgrade and expand literacy programming.
“It will be for technology upgrade and to expand our literacy and educational programming,” she said. “I am going to make sure we use some of the funds to support the mayor’s initiative to assist children from ages zero through eight.”
David Nochimson, Pelham Parkway-Van Nest manager, said that some of the funding would be used to upgrade the facility.
“I’d say we are probably going to end up doing a lot of refreshing of worn furniture in the branch,” said Nochimson “There are all sorts of little things and also some big things that need attending to.”
The funding would also be used, in part, to create a ‘tween’ section of the library, for children who are in between their early childhood and teenage years, said Nochimson.
Manny Martinez, Allerton manager, said that the grant would be used to support educational programming that is already in existence at the library.
Additionally, he said that the branch would look to expand computer literacy, and add to the current eight computers in the children’s section, while expanding choices of databases available to young people for learning.
Also speaking at the event’s program was Jean Perry, Community Board 7 chairperson who said she is excited by the prospects libraries offer and is an avid reader herself.
She encourages everyone in the board area to visit his or her local libraries.
