Pendleton is the only library represented in Oregon grant
The Pendleton Public Library has been awarded $1.2 million from the Oregon Department of Education’s Early Literacy Community Grant program.
ODE’s Early Literacy Community Grant program is designed with four main goals: to increase literacy for children from birth to grade three, reduce early literacy academic disparities for student groups that have historically experienced academic disparities, to increase support to parents and guardians and to increase access to early literacy support that is research-aligned, culturally responsive, and student centered.
The Oregon Department of Education awarded grants to 13 organizations across the state. Pendleton is the only library represented.
“We were shocked to learn we were recipients of this grant. An opportunity like this does not come often for public libraries,” Library Director Jennifer Johnson said. “Our application was a hail Mary, but now we are locked in and excited to serve. There is no library task more fulfilling than watching kids grow from babies to graduates.”
Among additional programs, Pendleton Public Library will use the grant funding to:
- Create a high dosage tutoring program free for families in our service area
- Offer additional story times
- Host family literacy nights with dinner included
- Expand Kinder Readers, 1st Grade Character Club and 2nd & 3rd grade book clubs
- Increase mobile story times
- Offer quarterly book giveaways geared toward building home libraries
- Offer an author visit each year of the 3 year cycle
- Begin a 1,000 books before kindergarten program
- Host a summer reading kick off
- Begin a winter reading challenge
- Continue Special Needs Family Library Time at the Library
The grant funding will allow the library to offer additional programs and services over the next three years, and Johnson said she hopes the expanded programs will also connect community members with other programs.
“I am hopeful that through this grant the library can raise awareness about the wonderful FREE programs we offer students from birth to 3rd grade each year. The money gives us the opportunity to enhance existing programs, start new ones, and make new connections in the community,” she said. “Youth Services were my gateway to library work, so it is exciting to me to see so much importance given to this area of library service.”
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- March 20, 2025