
Howard County Library System will cut the ribbon on its new mobile unit at an event next Monday, August 23 featuring remarks by HCLS President & CEO Tonya Aiken and County Executive Calvin Ball and other funders.
Who: HCLS President & CEO Tonya Aiken, County Executive Calvin Ball, Friends & Foundation of HCLS Chair Mickey Gomez
Date: Monday, August 23
Time: 2 pm
Place: HCLS East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way in Columbia
Background:
- This new mobile unit is designed to bring preschool classes and learning resources to children of families who do not have access to the Library’s six branches.
- Classes and services will primarily be delivered to children, birth through three years of age, and their parents/caregivers from asset limited and income constrained families in communities that have also been directly affected by the pandemic.
- By visiting locations (e.g., preschools, daycare facilities, community/service centers, parks, shopping centers, businesses) in these communities, classes and services will be fully accessible, enabling children to take their first steps to become ready and successful kindergarten students.
- The vehicle will be outfitted with:
- a collection of library materials in a variety of formats that have been curated to meet the needs of the target populations, and
- Chromebooks and mobile hotspots.
- The vehicle will also function as a mobile hotspot providing Internet access to the nearby community during each stop.
- When not On the Road to Kindergarten, the Pop-Up Library will visit festivals, events, and other gatherings throughout Howard County. Beginning Monday, August 23, visit hclibrary.org/pop-up to see where the van will be and to request it.
- The mobile unit was funded by a Rise to the Challenge Grant from Howard County Government, Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System, M&T Bank, PNC Foundation, and HoCo Balt Book Club.
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Scott E