Shirley library receives $28,319 grant

The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Library has received a $28,319 grant from the New York State Library and the state Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education for its efforts in making reading a family activity.

The library’s literacy program served more than 500 adults and 125 children last year. The program was established in 2000.

“We are honored to be selected as a recipient of this award,” library director Kerri Rosalia said in a news release. “These funds will help provide support for our innovative foreign language literacy program, which benefits our patrons, their families and ultimately the entire community through unique educational opportunities.”

Jeffrey Cannell, deputy commissioner of the state Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education, said the grants “enable public libraries to develop and expand their services, and to provide early literacy experiences and activities that are crucial for children’s success in school and beyond.”

Through the grant, which was awarded Oct. 28, the library will team up with the Community Family Literacy Project, Literacy Suffolk and the William Floyd school district to provide immigrant parents and their children with special literacy programming.