The Madison Public Library Foundation recently received a $200,000 grant award from the Madison Community Foundation for the Children's Area at the new Sequoya Branch Library.

The children's area, to be named in honor of the Madison Community Foundation for this significant contribution, will incorporate collections, technology, and casual reading areas. In addition to the many innovative physical features, this area will feature an emergent literacy activity alcove that will become a destination for children and families. This project will improve and expand the continuum of literacy services and activities already available at Madison's public libraries. Through involvement in purposive, pre-reading activities, children and families will learn behaviors, skills and thinking processes critical to the growth and development of readers. Hands-on emergent literacy activities, available during all open hours, will augment the continuum of literacy resources available to library users.

Additionally, Sequoya Branch Library will continue to offer a full menu of literacy services and activities to families, from baby story times to a teen service-learning program. During all open hours, children and families will enjoy the engaging in purposive activities that link experience, imagination, paper, pencils and print in comfortable family friendly spaces.

The Madison Public Library Foundation was established in the spirit of public/private partnership with the City of Madison to provide resources and financial support to extend and improve library services and collections. Additionally, the Foundation strives to assist in filling the financial gap between appropriated City funds and the ever-rising costs of Library resources and services that meet the diverse needs of our community.

Madison Community Foundation encourages, facilitates and manages long-term philanthropy. The Foundation has facilitated over $4 million in giving to Dane County libraries since 2000, helping build or renovate 12 libraries and holds over $1 million in library endowment funds. "Libraries fit our mission perfectly" says President Kathleen Woit. "They are not only centers of learning, they are gathering places for the community - today libraries serve as youth centers, senior centers, and more." Individuals and organizations interested in establishing an endowment with the Madison Community Foundation or donating money to its general fund may get more details online at http://www.madisoncommunityfoundation.org.