PASADENA, Calif. – The California State Library recently awarded Pasadena Public Library a regional Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant for $230,000 to establish seven early childhood hub sites. The sites are a part of a network called Growing Together PASadena coordinated by the Library’s Office of the Young Child. They will serve as locations for families with children ages zero to five to access services and the support they need to flourish, with a specific focus on school readiness. The hub sites are hosted by well-established community organizations that presently serve families with young children; La Pintoresca Branch Library, Villa Parke Community Center and Public Library, Sierra Madre Public Library, Altadena Public Library, ChapCare Lincoln Health Center, Pacific Clinics Early Head Start-Nesbitt Site, and Families Forward Learning Center. All hub sites will offer a welcoming space for children and their families, individualized resources and referrals, parenting support, and opportunities for children to grow in the five key developmental areas defined by the Early Development Instrument (EDI). Growing Together PASadena is set to launch in fall 2019.
“Early childhood provides the building blocks for the next generation,” said Crystal O’Grady, Program Coordinator for the Office of the Young Child that is spearheading the Pasadena as an Early Learning City movement. “This grant funding helps us focus on building supports for early childhood in community spaces for all families.” She added, “throughout the last few years, a vibrant collaborative of parents and caregivers, service providers, and early childhood advocates has informed and led the development of this project. We are so excited about the opportunity to use this funding to further Pasadena’s goal of being an Early Learning City by 2025.”
Funding received is from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. For more information, contact Crystal O’Grady, (626) 744-4297 or cogrady@cityofpasadena.net or Catherine Hany, (626) 744-4207 or chany@cityofpasadena.net.
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Crystal O’Grady, Office of the Young Child, Pasadena Public Library
(626) 744-4297, cogrady@cityofpasadena.net
Catherine Hany, Communications, Pasadena Public Library
(626) 744-4207, chany@cityofpasadena.net