Library Friends of Cook County awards Book Grants to five area libraries

Library Friends Board Member Agatha Armstrong presents students and staff of Oshki Ogimaag Charter School in Grand Portage with their award, January 2021. Photo courtesy of Library Friends

Library Friends of Cook County is happy to announce that five area libraries have received assistance grants totaling $4,400.00, from funds raised during the 2020 grant cycle. Grant recipients this year are:

* Grand Marais Public Library: $1,000.00 to support a reading program for children ages 0 – 8.

* Oshki Ogimaag Charter School: $650.00 for the Learning A-Z program and group reading books.

* Birch Grove Elementary: $750.00 to purchase new student books.

* ISD 166 School Library: $1,000.00 for the ongoing, Tumblebooks program and additional, technical books for the Middle & High School Media Center.

* Great Expectations Charter School: $1,000.00 to increase the number and variety of Environmental & Science books for each classroom.

Library Friends is very pleased to be able to help our area libraries at a time when in-person fundraising events have been cancelled due to COVID-19. Library Friends of Cook County Board Members are Jan Smith, Lin Salisbury, Agatha Armstrong, Kris MacPherson, Roger Linehan and Staci Drouillard.

Library Friends is currently in need of new Board members. Please contact Jan Smith at library.friends. cc.mn@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the Board. And, if you would like to support the work of Library Friends, donations can be given through GiveMN.org, or by sending a check to PO Box 1234, Grand Marais MN 55604. Library Friends wishes you happy reading in 2021!