Funds to support Summer Learning Program
The Library Foundation for Sarasota County has received a $15,000 grant from the Harry Shapiro Charitable Foundation to support the 2024 Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources’ Summer Learning program, the Foundation has announced.
“Summer Learning at Sarasota County Public Libraries provides critical programming to help children stay engaged with educational activities during the summer when many students experience a decline in academic skills,” the release explains. “The program provides hands-on enrichment focused on STEM, the arts, and literacy, helping to ensure children return to school refreshed and ready to learn,” the release adds.
The 2023 Summer Learning program offered more than 1,200 programs, collaborated with 22 community partners, and served more than 24,000 participants, the release notes.
“Summer Learning at the libraries helps children stay connected to learning and prevents the ‘summer slide’ in academic skills,” said Alisa Mitchell, executive director of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, in the release. “We’re so grateful to the Harry Shapiro Charitable Foundation for their support of this critical program,” she added.
Since its founding in 2011, the nonprofit Foundation has raised more than $8 million in private funds for the benefit of Sarasota County public libraries, the release points out.
To learn more about the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, visit SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.