Public libraries are community hubs for information, technology, cultural exploration, and community connection. The Library Foundation funds a variety of literacy projects, building improvements, and librarian-led innovations. Currently, we provide grant funding for a new Story Room at Central and refurbishments of the children’s area at all Berkeley Public Library branches. A couple of our most recent funding went to the ongoing Berkeley Builds Readers and a new literacy project called, Conscious Kits, which is designed to introduce young readers to diverse subject matters and content and promote critical thinking through discussion questions.

We are actively establishing hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) literacy projects for all ages using the nationally acclaimed Cornerstones of Science model for public libraries.