Latest news with #GwinnettCountyPublicLibrary
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gwinnett County Public Library gets $350,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation
One of the oldest philanthropies in the United States gave the Gwinnett County Public Library (GCPL) a major grant. According to the library system, the Carnegie Corporation of New York awarded $350,000, which they plan to use for expanding English language classes, in partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools. The Carnegie Corporation said GCPL was one of 11 libraries across the U.S. to get an award from the Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy initiative. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'Andrew Carnegie believed libraries were ladders upon which anyone and everyone could rise, and that belief continues to guide us,' Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie, said in a statement. 'At a time when trust in public institutions is fraying, libraries retain public trust. We are delighted to support these grantees as they provide essential programs and community services.' TRENDING STORIES: 'Black Mecca' no longer? Atlanta prices cause families to move out of the city Atlanta Public Schools announces new first day of school, 13 new principals Georgia father drowns after getting caught in Gulf rip current Through the additional funding, GCPL said they'll be able to increase the number of free English classes and recruit more community volunteers. The funding will also go toward stipends for volunteer English teachers and bus passes for those participating in the program. 'Fluency in the English language is essential for everyone to participate in American society, culture, politics, and business. We are delighted that the Carnegie Corporation has recognized the importance of English language classes and libraries in general to maintain a literate and engaged citizenry,' Charles Pace, Executive Director of Gwinnett County Public Library, said. 'Thanks to this generous award we will be able to better support the English language learner needs of the Gwinnett Community than ever before.' The Carnegie Corporation said more than 1,400 applicants sent requests for funding from the program. The organization said they 'prioritized initiatives' that had shown both strong demand from their communities and success either teaching Adult English language and literacy to build job readiness, or college access programs for teens with academic, civic and leadership skills, college admissions knowledge and with support from families as they transition to college. 'Libraries are places where people build knowledge, skills, and agency,' said Ambika Kapur, an Education program director at Carnegie. 'This initiative reflects our belief in investing in civic participation — wherever people come together to learn." [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local magician 'books' kid-friendly shows at libraries this summer
The Brief Magician Ken Scott is hosting his "Summer Library Tour 2025" through the end of July, visiting dozens of local libraries in Georgia. At each stop, Scott will perform magic for young audiences and hopes to ignite a passion for reading. This summer, Scott has more than 100 shows scheduled over the course of nine weeks, his busiest summer tour yet. PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. - Libraries have always been magical places — but this morning in Gwinnett County, one branch in particular served up a little more "abracadabra" than usual! The Gwinnett County Public Library Peachtree Corners Branch (5570 Spalding Drive in Peachtree Corners) hosted magician Ken Scott for a summer reading-themed comedy magic show — and, of course, Good Day Atlanta was there to marvel at every single trick! We're well acquainted with Scott around here, having first featured the magician back in 2020. During that interview, Scott actually talked about how libraries helped shape his passion for magic. "My love for magic came from my mom," he says. "She got me a magic book when I was 8, and she was always sending me to the library to check out more books. And that's how I would develop some of my tricks... and go show my friends and my family as much as I could." Scott's enthusiasm for both books and magic led him to schedule shows at libraries throughout the state this summer — and the magician says he hopes those shows inspire kids to find their own "magic" in reading. For more information on Ken Scott's summer schedule, head to his website here. And click the video player in this article to check out our morning in Gwinnett County, "oohing and ahhing" along with some very excited young readers! The Source Good Day Atlanta's Paul Milliken spent the morning at the Peachtree Corners library branch, enjoying a "magical" visit with Ken Scott.
