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May 2, 2002 New York
Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy, Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott, Robin Hood Foundation Executive Director David Saltzman, Children's Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman, US Poet Laureate
Billy Collins and playwright Anna Deveare Smith joined corporate sponsors, volunteer architects, educators and community supporters today in the new school library at PS 101 in East Harlem to unveil a citywide L!brary Initiative.
Designed pro bono by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien (American Folk Art Museum) and abundantly stocked with thousands of new books donated (in part) by Scholastic and HarperCollins, the PS 101 library is one of 10 pilot libraries opening throughout the five boroughs as part of the first phase of the Initiative. Twenty more elementary school libraries will be completed by summer 2003.
A partnership of the Robin Hood Foundation and the New York City Board of Education, the Library Initiative is creating a blueprint to reinvent and revitalize elementary school libraries. The comprehensive program includes the design and creation of expansive library spaces, the infusion of books and state-of-the-art computer technology, the hiring and training of certified librarians, ongoing professional and curriculum development, and strategic management consultation to build the capacity of schools to use the libraries. Schools in high-poverty communities are the first to participate.
"Education is a powerful ally in Robin Hood's mission to fight poverty," said Saltzman. "These libraries are important educational tools for our communities. We brought together top experts across multiple disciplines - school reform, library science, education, technology, children's literature, architecture, design and construction - to provide insight and guidance for the project. The result: dynamic learning spaces across the city, humming with activity, where the operative rule is no longer 'SHHHHH!'"
Chancellor Levy said, "I am certain that the libraries we're launching today will make an enormous difference to the students and teachers in these schools. The Robin Hood Foundation and these generous sponsors have given a gift that will not only endure, but which has the power to alter these children's lives for the better. The Library Initiative serves as a catalyst not only for ongoing improvement of instruction and student learning, but also provides a means to instill a lifelong love of learning. The program we've inaugurated here will serve as a national model, and we hope will inspire educators and businesspeople alike to realize the tremendous change we can effect when we work together in innovative partnerships."
The Chancellor credited former Executive Assistant Jonathan Levi with being instrumental in shepherding the Library Initiative to fruition, saying, "Without him, this wouldn't have happened."
The Initiative is envisioned as a central component of improved literacy, learning and instruction in the public schools. The announcement coincides with the opening of other new libraries, including CS 50 in the Bronx; PS 19 in Corona, Queens; PS 184 in Ocean Hill-Brownsville; PS 42 in Far Rockaway; and PS 18 in Staten Island.
To date, the partners have raised a total of $28.1 million for the first 30 libraries, which includes $5 million from the New York City Mayor's office, $6.94 million from Robin Hood, and $16.16 million from the Board of Education. The Robin Hood contribution includes a $1.15 million cash contribution from Credit Suisse First Boston and $250,000 from USA Networks.
"CSFB has deep commitments to NYC," said John Mack, CEO, Credit Suisse First Boston. "We are gratified to see our contribution put to such good use - the continuing education and encouragement of New York City's children."
In addition, Robin Hood secured $15 million in in-kind donations over the life of the Initiative including books, computers, software and architectural design. HarperCollins and Scholastic have each contributed one million books, while Apple Computer has contributed $1 million worth of computers. Other sponsors include: Benjamin Moore, Cisco Systems, Follet Library Resources, Lexmark, Pentagram Design, Sagebrush Software Company and Sciame Construction.
"We were the first publisher to agree to donate one million books to Robin Hood's Library Initiative and it remains as the largest single book donation we have ever given to a single city," said Dick Robinson, Chairman, CEO and President of Scholastic Inc. "We have always been confident that this project, under the auspices of Robin Hood's terrific team, would produce better school libraries throughout the city. Scholastic's mission is to ensure that every child learn to read, and loves to read and by donating these books we are ensuring that this happens."
Robin Hood has provided an extensive portfolio of professional development and technical assistance for school leaders and teachers. In addition, Robin Hood enlisted Syracuse University --one of the nation's leaders in library science -- to tailor a Masters of Library Science program for NYC elementary school librarians and with the Board of Education will underwrite full tuition costs.
Robin Hood also recruited Henry Myerberg, principal, Helfand Myerberg Guggenheimer, who recruited a team of nine additional architectural firms, to provide design services pro bono in the creation of the first 10 spaces. Each architectural firm was assigned one prototype library that would explore and test new standards for materials and construction. Elements of these unique, exquisitely designed spaces -- which are double the standard size of the typical school -- include instructional areas filled with comfortable couches and chairs, cozy reading nooks, tented performance spaces, and design motifs such as children's poetry and pictures painted on the walls.
With a view to making the libraries a compelling resource to schools and the families they serve, the Board of Education has agreed to keep the new libraries open daily until 5 PM and has created a full-time position for a librarian in these schools.
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