The Parent and Child Services grant program was authorized by Chapter 917 of the Laws of 1990 and funded for the first time in 1993. The funds for 2001 will be determined in the State budget scheduled to be adopted by March 31. Libraries, schools, public television, museums, historical societies, environmental centers and other cultural and community resources can all participate. The Education Department encourages all sectors of the community to provide services that children and parents need in order for children to become lifelong learners.
Libraries are educational institutions, which are different from schools and colleges.
Public libraries reach a broad community audience and they do more for preschool and school age learning than is generally recognized. Demonstrate, document and describe the impact of parent and child library services. Results will be available for replication both locally and statewide. Develop models for planning and for evaluation of the learning that takes place in library programs. Use professional assistance for planning and evaluation activities, including community needs assessment.