Texas Book Festival Grant of $2497 Awarded to APL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2011
Contact: Kanya Lyons | (512) 974-7379

Texas Book Festival Awards $2497 to the Southeast Branch

The Southeast Austin Community Branch of the Austin Public Library receives a 2011 Texas Book Festival collections grant of $2,497 to update the Spanish and bilingual collection of children’s books. "We are extremely grateful to receive this grant,” said Paola Ferate-Soto, Managing Librarian of the Southeast Branch. “The funds will enable us to enhance the Children’s Spanish Collection, which greatly benefits the Southeast Austin community. With so many children in our area that participate in AISD’s bilingual and dual language programs, and with our previously aging collection, this grant could not come at a better time.”

Every year public libraries across Texas apply to the Texas Book Festival to receive grant funds. The grants are intended to help initiate or continue innovative literacy and technology programs and to update and increase book collections. This year, the Festival is distributing grants up to $5,000 to 14 public libraries in 14 counties in Texas. Since its founding, the festival has contributed more than $2.5 million in grants to 614 Texas public libraries.

“We are committed to supporting the important work of Texas public libraries,” said Heidi Marquez-Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Book Festival. “Public libraries continue to adapt to meet the needs of their communities and we are proud that we can help them make a difference.”

The Texas book festival raises money for the grants from individual, corporate and foundation sponsorships, the annual Gala, and from book sales at the annual festival.  The 2011Texas Book Festival took place this past October 22 and 23 and takes place annually in the fall.

For more information please call 512-974-8848 or visit www.austintexas.gov/library.

About The Texas Book Festival
The Texas Book Festival is a non-profit organization that celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas and imagination. Founded in 1995 by Laura Bush and a group if interested volunteers, the annual festival is held on the grounds of the Texas capitol. It features readings and discussions from more than 200 renowned Texas and national authors, entertaining and informing more than 30,000 adults and children alike, free of cost. It’s filled with vibrant panels and events, engaging discussions, signings, children’s authors and entertainment, cooking demos, local foods and live music. The 2012 Texas Book Festival will take place on October 27 & 28. TBF also hosts year-round events across the state.

TBF also supports Texas public libraries and literacy through its Library Grants and Reading Rock Stars programs. Become a member of TBF and receive invitations to exclusive author events, priority seating, the latest literacy news and more! Visit www.texasbookfestival.org for more information.