Rockford Public Library is the recipient of two grants from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) totaling $13,000. The grants will assist RPL in providing children’s programming and four early literacy computer stations.

Saturday Spectaculars, programs geared to providing free arts activities and entertainment on Saturday mornings, received a grant for $5,000 from CFNIL. Saturday Spectaculars include storytimes, art projects and world-class children’s entertainers like ‘The Bucket Boys,’ Susan Salidor, and ‘The Whip Guy: Chris Camp.’ All programs are free and open to the public.

Bilingual early literacy stations allow children to enjoy time playing on the computer while developing reading, math and science skills or learning English. One station is already operational, and very popular, at the Rock River Branch Library. The CFNIL grant of $8,000 will allow Rockford Public Library to offer four more stations throughout the system.

“We are extremely appreciative of the support we have received from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,” said Frank Novak, Executive Director of Rockford Public Library. “These grants make projects possible that we would otherwise be unable to fund through our operating budget.”

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is the area’s leading provider of philanthropic services. Each year the Foundation awards grants and scholarships of over $3 million on behalf of caring donors who want to give something back to their community.

About the Library

The Rockford Public Library, founded in 1872 as the second library in Illinois, currently has six facilities, including the Main Library and five Branch Libraries. The Rockford Public Library’s mission is to enhance community life and development by informing, educating, entertaining, and providing cultural enrichment to all people of all ages by collecting information to address the diverse interests of our dynamic community.

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