HaydenHayden — Donations from the community and outside benefactors provided — Donations from the community and outside benefactors provided Hayden Public LibraryHayden Public Library with 95 new children’s’ books worth $1,600. with 95 new children’s’ books worth $1,600. Hayden — Donations from the community and outside benefactors provided Hayden Public Library with 95 new children’s’ books worth $1,600.

The library received a Pilcrow Foundation Children’s Book Project grant. The mission of the foundation is provide new, quality, hardcover children’s books to rural public libraries across the United States.

“We are a small community with story hours, and we would like to upgrade our children’s section,” said Assistant Library Director Rachel May who led the effort to secure the grant. “We got to choose the books we wanted and we chose some awesome books.”

The Pilcrow FoundationPilcrow Foundation gifted 71 books to the library, and another 24 math and science books came from Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman of Colorado. The new books are for children of all ages including those who are just learning to read and junior novels for teens. gifted 71 books to the library, and another 24 math and science books came from Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman of Colorado. The new books are for children of all ages including those who are just learning to read and junior novels for teens.Pilcrow Foundation gifted 71 books to the library, and another 24 math and science books came from Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman of Colorado. The new books are for children of all ages including those who are just learning to read and junior novels for teens.

“It’s a boost to our children’s collection. The new books are so beautiful, hardcover and brand new, fabulous books,” said Library Director Ana Lash.

Many of the books are from new authors who are just starting out rather than from famous, well-established authors, Lash said.

“It offered books that I wasn’t aware of and provided a list of titles to improve our collection,” Lash said.

This was May’s first grant-writing effort, and she said she learned a lot about grant writing and the library in the process.

“They are looking for specific answers. It takes some research and gave me some understanding of behind the scenes of the library and our financials,” May said.

The grant was made possible through a $400 local matching donation with funds raised from Hayden businesses, the Babson Carpenter Civic Foundation and Friends of the Library, said May.

Library clerks Sharon Booco and Cindy Leck joined Lash and May on Friday in reading some of the new stories to children during a celebration of local donors.

The program included storytelling in English and Spanish, sing-alongs, snacks and crafting. Children helped the librarians make thank you cards that will later be given to local contributors.

All of the children were sent home with a free copy of “Mouse Mess” as part of the One Book 4 ColoradoOne Book 4 Colorado initiative that is trying to place a free book into the hands of every 4-year-old in the state by May 1. initiative that is trying to place a free book into the hands of every 4-year-old in the state by May 1.One Book 4 Colorado initiative that is trying to place a free book into the hands of every 4-year-old in the state by May 1.

All of the donated books are marked with special bookplates and are available now for checkout from the Hayden Public Library.

Contact Sasha Nelson at 970-875-1794 or Contact Sasha Nelson at 970-875-1794 or snelson@CraigDailyPress.com or follow her on Twitter @CDP_Education.Contact Sasha Nelson at 970-875-1794 or snelson@CraigDailyPress.com or follow her on Twitter @CDP_Education.