Greetings,
As many of you have heard, Beloit Public Library (BPL) has been awarded $3.89 million to help transform its spaces and deepen its services. In the words of the award announcement: “Funding will go toward library expansions, which will include six classrooms, three computer labs, and an interactive children’s learning space. Additionally, this project will include access to high-speed internet and address disparities in education, workforce development, and healthcare services.” In short, it’s a game-changer.
BPL has long provided vital tools for parents and caregivers, but with the doubling of the current children’s area and integrating interactives throughout, BPL will now be a leader in early brain development and early literacy, by providing an environment—named Discovery PLAYce—that encourages children and the adults in their lives to engage in learning together, and ensure that that learning is taken with them and incorporated into their daily lives, whether at home, in the car, or with friends. This is big for BPL—and big for Beloit!
A capital campaign was already being developed to ensure that Discovery PLAYce get built, is free and accessible to all, and deeply impactful to getting our birth-to-6-year-olds ready to learn once they enter our area schools. The Federal funds, via the State, coupled with a grant from Rock County, and supporting operational funds from the City, are invaluable, but there is more to be done. You’ll hear more about that soon. For now, it is a moment to celebrate, be thankful, and be Beloit Proud!
Sincerely,
Nick Dimassis, Library Director
