Early childhood literacy has always been at the forefront of the Arlington Public Library's programming efforts, and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is about to help the Library take that goal to the next level.

APL was recently selected as one of 24 Texas libraries chosen by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) to receive financial support to establish the Library as a Family Place Library. Family Place Libraries is a national network of libraries that helps children's librarians increase their organization's visibility as centers for child and family development, and establish the library as a hub for parent and community involvement.

"Becoming a Family Place Library will bring our current children's programming and literacy efforts to the next level," Cary Siegfried, Director of Libraries, said. "We are continually looking for ways to further support parents as the first and most important teachers their children will ever have, and the training and resources provided by Family Place will be an invaluable asset in furthering this commitment."

Library Services Manager Abby Dozier and Community Programming Librarian Kayla Parker will attend the four-day training at the Middle County Public Library in Long Island, NY, late this fall. The TLSAC funding will provide tuition for the training, a cost of $12,000 per library. Additionally, each of the 24 Texas libraries selected will receive $6,000 to purchase toys, furniture, shelving, and a parenting collection that will help create a family-friendly space in the library where the Family Place Parent/Child Workshops are held.

This statewide project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the provision of the Library Services and Technology Act (2016).

To learn more about Family Place Libraries, visit www.familyplacelibraries.org.