In September, the Hornell City School District announced that the Intermediate School was awarded a $3 million literacy grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Librarians Jordan Hahn and Jennifer Carretto are busy planning creative ways to use the allotted grant money over the next five years. Families with second to sixth grade students should expect to see multiple books each month added to their at-home libraries as well as extended library hours and future literacy events.

The first book giveaway took place in October. Students from second to sixth grade were given four brand new forever books.

“Seeing the joy and excitement in the eyes of our students as they experience a fresh new title is priceless,” said Carretto.

Dante Dinsmore, a second-grader who received the latest title in a young adult fiction series said, “I feel like I’m going to have to read the whole series now.”

“It’s fun to watch students step out of their comfort zone and thrive,” says Hahn, “seeing their excitement with each book they finish.”

The after-school program on Mondays and Wednesdays allows students to have extended hours to check out books and spend extra time in the library.

Be on the lookout for book fairs and other literacy events in the near future.

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