The Scarborough Public Library has received a grant from Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution in the amount of $5,148 to fund two new early literacy stations.

Early literacy stations are designed specifically for children ages 2-8 and feature more than 4,000 localized learning activities that span all seven curricular areas – math; science and nature; social studies and geography; reading; art and music; writing and computer skills; and reference.

The stations offer a mouse and keyboard, as well as a touch screen feature. “The early literacy stations are very popular with young families who visit our library,” said Nancy Crowell, library director.

“The systems allow children to move through tutorials at their own pace and introduces (them) to technology in a safe and innovative way,” she said, adding that the stations also “compliment the traditional early literacy services we provide, including our weekly story times and reader advisory for parents. We’re very grateful for the many years Saco & Biddeford Savings has shared our commitment to making these interactive learning tools available to our youngest visitors.”

In 1999, the bank funded the purchase of two iMacs for the Youth Room. The iMacs were then replaced in 2006 with early literacy stations. And, in 2012, the bank gave the library a $6,000 grant to support its new e-book cloud library. See www.scarboroughlibrary.org for more information about their youth and family programming.

Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution recently gave the Scarborough Public Library a grant to purchase two new literacy stations. From left are Louise Capizzo, library youth services manager; Melanie Lee, the Scarborough branch manager; and Terri Litchfield, a Scarborough branch teller.

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