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