BALTIMORE - The Maryland State Department of Education's Division of Library Development and Services (DLDS) has awarded $345,576 in grants to Maryland public libraries. The funding is provided by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), through the Library Services and Technology Act. The Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal government agency that oversees libraries and museums nationwide, encourages community partnerships for libraries. Eight county library systems and one regional system are the recipients of these grants.
The St. Mary's County Library system was the only county in the tri-county area to receive funds from this grant. They received $51,728. Through its grant the St. Mary's County Library will partner with child care providers to offer school readiness activities to family child care providers and child care centers.