Weinberg Foundation to fund mult-million dollar library project
An effort to leverage public-private partnerships to fund massive Baltimore city school facility updates kicked off this week with the announcement of a $3.78 million project launched by the Weinberg Foundation, in conjunction with up to 15 other partners, to build state-of-the-art libraries in elementary/middle schools.
Officials announced the project Monday at Moravia Park Elementary/Middle School, where a library design is already underway. Construction is expected to begin in the summer.
According to a release by the organization, the libraries will feature new equipment, reading materials, and furniture including e-readers (Nooks), a bank of computers, and a “Parenting Corner” for parents and guardians to visit the library and share time with their child.
In addition to Moravia Park, Southwest Baltimore Charter School, Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle, and the East Baltimore Community School are also slated to participate in the Weinberg's library project. The foundation will financially support up to 30% of the actual costs of each library and an operating grant for two years to increase staff support and provide professional development.
The schools participating in the project were identified for having public funding that can go toward the projects, and others meet a criteria of having 35 percent or more of its students receiving free and reduced lunch.
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Comments
Shouild we be thankful? Would that $3.78 million be better spent on helping the Enoch Pratt unless these schools decide to extend their library hours beyond the school day. Many of the students need help beyond the limited time in class, Having a great library that is off limits when they need it the most make no sense.
Posted by: OverTheTop | December 7, 2011 6:07 AM
OverTheTop- Have you been in school libraries to see the lack of resources, books, space, and overall purpose that they have? I disagree that this money is wasted being that it is invested in our public school libraries vs Enoch Pratt. Our students deserve the same access to rich and meaningful books as well as updated technology that prepares them for the 21st Century. County schools have the money to ensure that their libraries are often times state of the art, while city schools make do with what they have. I work in a school that recently went from k-5 to k-8. Our library, after 6 years of this transition, still does not have books that support or middle school students. Space is limited, and frankly, library and research classes are being omitted for our middle school students because it is a waste of time being that we have little books and maybe 4 working computers. The public schools need this money and will use it wisely, I can assure you of that. Seldom are our students in the city using public libraries anyway. They are at schools close to one third of their day; another third of their day is spent sleeping. Having a great library during school hours is when our students need it the most.
Posted by: RP | December 10, 2011 8:49 AM
@RP - Understood that the schools need money but at my neighborhood high school, the students are not allowed to come in the building until 20 minutes before their homeroom period and must be out of the school by 4:00. Many of the students walk to the Pratt to use the computers and resources because it is normally open until 6:00 pm. So if the schools are willing to stay open until 6:00 great. If not, I stick to my original statement.
Posted by: OverTheTop | December 12, 2011 8:21 PM