Dallas Public Library Receives Texas Book Festival Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

May 30, 2014 Jasmine Africawala - Dallas Public Library
(214) 670-7809

Dallas Public Library receives Texas Book Festival Grant

Dallas - The Texas Book Festival has awarded the Dallas Public Library a Literacy Initiative grant of $5,000. The grant will fund free Spanish language classes for adults who want to learn Spanish for customer service-related work.

The classes are part of the library’s “20 Hour Challenge” for adults to learn something new this summer. As part of the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club, adults are encouraged to dedicate 20 hours to reading books, watching DVDs, accessing the internet and other free library resources.

Classes will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, Hampton-Illinois Branch Library and the Dallas West Branch Library. Classes are limited to the first 30 people who register online at www.dallaslibrary.org or by calling one of the participating library locations. Classes start the second week of June.

“The Dallas Public Library is thrilled to receive the Texas Book Festival literacy grant,” said Community Engagement Administrator Jasmine Africawala. “These funds will enhance our literacy initiatives that support workforce development. Knowing Spanish can help a person get a job or move up in their current job.”

Texas Book Festival grants help initiate or continue innovative literacy and technology programs and update and increase book collections. This year, the Festival is distributing grants up to $5,000 to 19 libraries. Since its founding, the Festival has contributed more than $2.5 million in grants to more than 600 Texas public libraries.

“Our public libraries provide invaluable services that advance literacy, education and life-long learning,” said Texas Book Festival Executive Director Lois Kim. “We are committed to supporting the important work of Texas public libraries.”

The 2014 Texas Book Festival will be held October 25-26 on the grounds of the state capitol in Austin. For more information visit www.texasbookfestival.org.

###