WEST PARIS — The Arthur Mann Library in West Paris has announced it is the beneficiary of a Books for Children grant for small rural libraries from the Libri Foundation of Eugene, Ore.

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide nonprofit organization that donates new, quality children’s books to small public libraries. The foundation supports the concept that children who learn to enjoy reading at an early age continue to read throughout their lives.

The grant was made possible by the Friends of the West Paris Library, who provided a third of the funding, which was matched on a 2-to-1 basis by the foundation.

The Friends is a group of volunteers committed to making the library a center for community life and learning. Working in partnership with the librarian and trustees, the Friends develop programs for children and adults, support a range of social and educational opportunities for the community and provide funding for library projects.

The library will receive $1,050 in new children’s books (about 70 books), which range from pre-school to young adult. Librarian Patty Makley said this size book purchase would not have been possible within the library budget and they will be an asset to the collection.

The books are being selected this month and should be delivered in January.

“We hope that library users will come in to see the books when they arrive. The library is grateful to the community, the Libri Foundation and the Friends of the Library for their support of our library,” Makley said.