AUBURN – The Auburn Public Library has had a summer reading program since 1953 but in recent years large numbers of children in the program have dwindled.

Working parents with children in organized child care and summer camps aren’t able to take advantage of the library’s summer reading program. Watching these changing dynamics occur, children’s librarian Pam Osborn decided the library needed to find a way to take its services to the kids.

Supported by a $1,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation’s Androscoggin County Committee, the library worked with the Auburn Recreation Department and volunteers to offer a program that brought books and reading to more than 500 area children throughout the summer.

The Auburn Public Library was one of six organizations to receive funding this summer through the Androscoggin County Committee. Other grant recipients were:

Child Health Center, Norway: $2,400 for a program working with firefighters to educate children about fire prevention.

Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s, Lewiston: $1,000 toward a Franco American Music Tour and a heritage mural in the center’s performance hall.

Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Portland: $1,500 toward a statewide program providing marine science education to Maine middle school students.

Jeremiah Cromwell Disabilities Center, Portland: $1,500 for a training program to expand understanding among elementary school students of persons with disabilities.

Skate Lewiston/Auburn Movement, Lewiston: $5,000 to support construction of a skate park in downtown Lewiston.

In 2005, the Androscoggin County Committee received 23 proposals totaling more than $122,000 and was able to award $24,400 to eight organizations.

For information on MCF, call toll free 1-877-700-6800 or visit www.mainecf.org.

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