RURAL PUBLIC LIBRARIES In one of our largest and most popular programs, CLiF donates large collections of new, high-quality children’s books to rural public libraries in towns with fewer than 5,000 people. CLiF has already sponsored almost 75% of all the rural public libraries across New Hampshire and Vermont, and many libraries have been sponsored twice. The local public library is a primary source of books for thousands of children who live in rural communities. Unfortunately, due to shrinking budgets and rising book costs, many of these libraries possess only limited collections of children’s books, and what volumes they do own are often falling apart from being 'loved to death’ or are out-of-date. As a result, many children do not encounter the books that could fire their imaginations and inspire them to become great readers. Through this program CLiF provides the following support: New Children’s Books: Each sponsored library receives $2,000 in new children’s books selected by the library’s staff from our CLiF Booklist. The books arrive preprocessed, with Mylar covers and MARC records. Storytelling for the Town’s Children: A CLiF representative delivers the books and gives a fun, inspiring literacy and storytelling presentation to all the children in town from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Since many sponsored libraries do not have enough room for large groups of children, most of these events take place at the local elementary school. During the 45-minute book delivery celebration we display all the new CLiF books and talk with the children about the power and joy of reading and writing. We find out the types of books the children like to read, describe many of the books CLiF is donating to their public library, and tell a few stories to the children. Library Cards: Typically, a large percentage of the children in rural communities do not have a library card for their public library. Whenever possible, we work with the local librarian to provide library cards to all eligible students and to check out the new CLiF books to children at the CLiF book delivery celebration. The librarian in Jamaica, VT (pop. 950) was thrilled after her library was sponsored by CLiF: "I’ll tell you -- we have never had a greater, more positive reaction to anything we’ve done than we have had with the delivery of the CLiF Books. We’ve had whole families signing up for library cards -- kids dragging their parents to the library to check out books. We’ve never seen anything like it. This has also been a tremendous boost for our relationship with the local elementary school.. .am now going to the school as needed to bring over more CLiF books, and in the spring, the school wants to start sending EVERY class down here once a week for regular library time! Thank you, thank you CLiF!" Click here to apply for a Rural Library Sponsorship and learn more about deadlines and the application process. You can also view other comments from librarians and trustees whose libraries have received a sponsorship.