Grant for Library System to Help Kids in Need

The Springfield-Greene County Library will get the money to promote early learning among low-income families in the area.

The grant money is part of a national campaign for grade-level reading.

Research shows low-income students often reach kindergartens without the academic and social skills they need to succeed.

Library directors say parents are their children's best teachers.

"We know that they want the very best for their children and they try to provide the very best and make sure that they are ready to succeed in life," says Nancee Dahms-Stinson with the Springfield-Greene County Library system. "But often they need some resources. And we're putting it out there that the library is the best resource ot help get their child ready to succeed in kindergarten and beyond."

Since the library's early literacy project started four years ago, more than 13,000 books have been given to children in Greene County. 

Thousands of families have received literacy training.