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In addition to serving as a catalyst for attracting private funding from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations to enhance library services for our community, the mission of the Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc. includes reinforcing the need for continued and increased public support. The Library Foundation has been involved in the following initiatives to provide educational information and promote the need for additional public support of our library. 2006 Legislative Reception 71% Voted Yes for 2004 Library Bond Referendum Delegate Sickles donation of special session salary to the Library Foundation
Delegate Sickles’ bill to eliminate this discrimination was not included in this year’s budget, he stated, “it just means I’ll have to introduce the bill again next year and continue fighting for Fairfax’s fair share from the state.” Fairfax County Recognizes Library Foundations First Decade
Representative Moran supports Literacy Outreach
Motheread®/Fatheread® helps children from low-income families, and those with limited English, develop reading skills. Parents are taught to improve family communication through reading books to their children and discussing concepts introduced by the stories. The program provides children’s books so that families can read together at home. |
Delegate Mark Sickles received a Certificate of Recognition from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for his 11 years of service to the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees. He then contributed his per-diem expense check from the General Assembly Special Session to the Library Foundation. He stated that, “while this money doesn’t do enough to eliminate the library funding formula’s bias against Fairfax County, at least it might help bring some attention to the issue.”
The Board of Supervisors recognized the Fairfax County Public Library Foundation for 10 years of service to the community. The foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation begun in 1994 to provide supplementary support to the county’s public library system. In addition, the Library Foundation funds literacy outreach programs for at-risk youth and English language learners, supports live events for adults featuring famous authors, and attracts donations of bestsellers in English and funding for books in other languages.
A special presentation was made to thank Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) for securing $100,000 in funding for Fairfax County Public Library Foundation for the Motheread®/Fatheread® Literacy Outreach program through the federal omnibus appropriations bill. The event included a story session with approximately 20 children chaperoned by their parents or caregivers. Congressman Moran stressed the importance of reading to children within the first five years.