"These grants will be used to implement projects to offer programs for young children, their parents and caregivers; promote cross-cultural understanding; build stronger communities; improve customer service; assist adult literacy students; provide advanced library automation services, and help to preserve library’s valuable historical records," said Robert C. Maier, Director.

West Bridgewater Public Library was awarded $15,000.00 for the grant program, "Serving "Tweens and Teens." Across Massachusetts eager and hopeful teens enter the library each afternoon, looking for a place to be with their friends, to relax and work on homework. They may also be seeking a place to expand their world, volunteer in the community, and pursue new projects. The need for programs and services for middle school and senior high school age students is apparent. The average school day ends between two and three in the afternoon and almost every teenager in America must find somewhere to go and something to do after school. At-risk, underserved youth need programs that intervene before these adolescents get into trouble. The purpose of this LSTA program is to help public libraries develop innovative programs and strategies to serve their "tweens and teens."