News release from the Milton Library Foundation

The Milton Library Foundation’s (MLF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has awarded a grant of $1,250.00 to fund partially the “Milton Reads! 2012, a Town-Wide Read” activities proposed by Ms. Shirley Pyne, Head of Technical Services, Milton Public Library, on behalf of the Milton Reads Committee. “The Milton Foundation is thrilled to support the creativity and hard work of our great Librarians as they bring Literature and the Arts to life,” said MLF’s President Kathy Fagan.

From the application’s summary, “Milton Reads! is a program designed to create a community experience through a shared cultural activity – reading the same book. The selection for the program’s inaugural year is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The book tackles themes of race, gender, bullying, community, coming of age, and understanding… Milton Reads! will consist of a series of programs that tie in with the book and these themes. All events will be offered for free.”
“The library is very grateful that the Milton Library Foundation is making these grants available. They will help to enhance the library’s mission by enabling it to provide great resources to the Milton community,” said Dan Haacker, Milton Library’s Interim Director.

Shirley Pyne, Milton Library Staff Liaison to the project says, “The Milton Reads Committee is grateful for the support of the Milton Library Foundation. Our goal is to involve the whole town in the experience of reading and talking about “To Kill a Mockingbird.”  We are excited to be starting our series of programs which will allow participants to experience the book through screenings of the film, dramatic readings, book discussions and cultural events.  We hope there will be something for every segment of the town population.”

“The purpose of the project is to encourage reading, provide insight into the main themes of the book, and provide opportunities for the whole community to come together and share cultural activities around the same book. Programs will be presented by a number of agencies within the town in addition to the library and Friends groups. Among these are Fuller Village, the Milton Council on Aging, Milton Players, Milton Public Schools, ArtSpace Milton, Interfaith Clergy, and Citizens for a Diverse Milton. The programs will also take place at a number of locations, including the library, Fuller Village, and Cunningham Park.”

Frank Schroth, a Milton Library Trustee and a member of the Milton Reads! initiative said, “The theme of Milton Reads! this year, “You never really know a man until you stand inside his shoes,” is relevant to all places and all times. The Library Foundation’s support of this initiative that fosters cultural engagement within the community is a testament to the foundation. The grant will give us the assistance we need to provide a series of programs that enrich this town wide reading experience with book discussions, movie screenings, and events. We are tremendously grateful for the support and this opportunity to draw the community into the wonders and benefits of our library and all it has to offer.”

This is the first grant of the Milton Library Foundation’s new Competitive Grants Program, which was announced in July, 2012. The purpose of these grants (up to $2,000 each) is to support projects and programs that support the mission of the Milton Public Library and that cannot be funded under operating funds provided by the Town of Milton. For FY 2012, $10,000 has been committed to this program. Milton Public Librarians are expected to be the primary applicants for this program. Collaborative efforts involving Milton Public Librarians together with Milton Public School librarians, teachers and/or staff, however, are also eligible for grants, which are considered on a rolling submission basis. Gene Boylan, a MLF Director and member of the Grants Committee, says, “We hope to fund many of the great ideas that our librarians have imagined and can now make a reality.”

Applicants are advised to use the most up-to-date application form for this program, which is available on the Foundation’s website, at the Milton Public Library, or can be requested by Email from the MLF’s Competitive Grant Program Committee’s Chairman.

Deadlines for this program are rolling. Decisions will most likely be made within one month from time of receipt, with final decisions being made at the subsequent MLF Board meeting. Funded programs or projects are expected to be completed within 6 months.

Applications must be signed by the applicants and by the Milton Public Library Director. In the event that the application involves Milton Public School staff, the Milton Public Library Director will obtain approval from the appropriate school’s Principal.

Applications must be submitted by Email to the MLF’s Competitive Grant Program Committee Chair – Herbert Voigt at hfv@bu.edu