Two concert series, a summer reading program and a photography exhibit are among the Williamsburg Regional Library programs receiving grant funding and returning to the Historic Triangle this summer.
The Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library approved seven grants for programs April 4, according to a press release from the library. The all-volunteer group promotes interest in the library, provides funding and sponsors community programs.
The grants totaled $86,000, with the largest of these, $25,000, devoted to sponsor the Dewey Decibel concert series. For 17 years the series has presented musical acts to the community. The grant will allow WRL to offer the series for substantially reduce ticket prices to $5 for many concerts during the 2017-18 season. The Dewey Decibel series had previously been funded by ticket sales.
Another concert series — the Virginia Symphony Presents series — received $9,000 through the library’s Program Services Division. The grant will allow four concerts to take place in fiscal year 2018.
Two grants totaling $27,000 will enable WRL to purchase multiple copies of bestselling new books and popular DVDs. According to the release, the library’s goal is to make sure no reader has to wait more than six weeks for popular titles.
WRL’s Summer Reading Program received a $13,000 grant. The program allows Williamsburg, York County and James City County children grades K-12 to keep track of their summer reading, shares their reads with library staff and receive weekly incentives for reading. The grant also provides book bags to participating students.
A $7,5000 grant was earmarked for a two-year subscription to ScienceFlix, an online resource which provides 50 science, technology, engineering and math study lessons for children grades four and up.
The final grant of $5,000 will bring a photography exhibit to the Stryker Center between July 16 and Aug. 11. “Over Here: Americans at Home in World War I,” will feature 40 photographs and supplemental text and graphic panels.
