Post From Community: Milwaukee Public Library receives AmeriCorps grant to support youth literacy and out-of-school S.T.E.A.M. Learning | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Eileen Force Cahill
June 23, 2022
Milwaukee Public Library has announced it is the recipient of nearly $1.5 million in funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and community volunteerism. The funding, which is being awarded to the Library through the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, will be used to launch a new program, MPL AmeriCorps, and support 20 full-time members who will teach information and literacy lessons to 4-10 grade students in Milwaukee area schools and facilitate book-based and STEAM activities in MPL branch libraries for youth of all ages.
Funding will be provided for three years: $432,000 in 2022-2023; $453,600 for 2023-2024; and $476,280 for 2024-2025.  Recruitment is underway for the 20 members who, over an 11-month term of service, will serve in schools, libraries and youth-serving community organizations to help young people develop a love of reading, increase information literacy, and build relationships that help bridge the gap between in-and out-of-school learning. Members will teach standard-aligned classes, lead after-school activities at branch libraries, and support MPL’s Summer Reading Program. MPL AmeriCorps members will also be eligible for $6,495 each upon completion of service for education costs or to pay down student debt.
said Library Director Joan Johnson.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson said.
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MPL gratefully acknowledges the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, with generous support from Herb Kohl Philanthropies, American Family Institute and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. This project was also made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Special thanks also to partners in the Milwaukee area schools, including Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and Seton Catholic Schools. Additional partners are being finalized.
said Ryan Daniels, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation.
Information sessions are being scheduled for people interested in applying to be part of the team. Dates and times, links and contact information are available at mpl.org/AmeriCorps.
About Milwaukee Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library is an anchor institution that helps build healthy families and vibrant neighborhoods – the foundation of a strong Milwaukee.  Since 1878, Milwaukee Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for residents of Milwaukee and beyond. With 13 locations, and more than three million items in circulation, MPL offers free access to a rich collection of materials both physical and digital, access to technology, classes, exhibitions, programming and more.  From toddlers to scholars, MPL serves more than one million patrons who come through its doors annually and many more around the globe who use its resources at www.mpl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, MPL relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support Milwaukee Public Library at mpl.org