In an effort to support the city of Daphne’s new Opportunity for Community program and Supporting Educational Enrichment in Daphne’s Schools’ Teaming Up for Daphne Character program, the Daphne Public Library has received a grant for expanding current services and programs, Tonja Young, library director said.

The library’s grant project, “Strengthening Communities,” has been awarded $19,200 in fiscal year 2008 by the Alabama Public Library Service. The money will be used to fund new programs.

The 2008 LSTA grant funds will allow implementation of children’s and adult Spanish and bilingual reading groups and language courses; character education through literature and parenting courses; Alabama Virtual Library Training courses for parents and students; adult computer training and Internet usage courses; writing workshops with local authors; poetry readings; the Daphne Library Teen Advisory Board; and other educational and cultural exhibits and speakers from local museums and organizations.

The library offers many programs for children and adults, with funding from the city and from the Friends of the Daphne Library.

The Friends funds many children’s programs, including the annual summer reading programs for children and teens, special holiday events, and an annual “Spring-into-Reading” children’s festival.

Adult library programming has included Jubilee Mornings, a monthly speaking engagement showcasing local authors, as well as artists, photographers and historians knowledgeable in areas of local interest. During the past year, the library has also implemented several new programs, including the Jubilee Book Club (a reading and discussion group), and WinterRead (a winter reading program for adults of all ages).

Next summer the library plans to implement an adult summer reading program in cooperation with other Baldwin County Libraries. A series of quarterly speakers from the Alabama Humanities Foundation ‘Road Scholar’ Speakers Bureau program is scheduled for the 2007-2008 year. Scheduled guests include Alan Brown in October, Joyce Cauthen in December and Frances Robb in February, 2008, according to Young.

For more information on these or any other library programs or activities, call 621-2818.